First blip of season for Monarchs
Blistering start to campaign falters in Glasgow
The Parsons Peebles Monarchs had the first blip in what has been an excellent start to their season last weekend.
They could only muster a four-point advantage from the first leg of their KO Cup clash against Sheffield at Armadale on Friday and followed this up with a resounding defeat at Glasgow 24 hours later.
The Monarchs had entered the weekend in imposing form with five wins from five but any thoughts they would build up a commanding lead over the visitors on Friday night were quickly dispelled.
The Monarchs actually trailed by as many as 10 points before battling back and sealing a slim 47-43 win.
The home team’s biggest issue was getting out of the starts as they watched the Yorkshire men race to the first corner ahead.
This pattern was repeated on Saturday night in Glasgow as the Monarchs were put to the sword, going down 57-34 at Ashfield.
One man who was not to blame for either result was reserve Mark Riss.
The German continued his blistering start to the season as he notched up his fourth and fifth paid double-digit return in the Monarchs’ matches thus far.
The club are being handsomely rewarded for sticking with Riss after a difficult settling-in period last season with the ace crediting his hard work during the off-season for his fine form so far this term.
He said: “I prepared well in the winter. I changed a few things, especially mentally, and I’m a lot more confident this year.
“I am enjoying getting a lot of rides at reserve as it allows me to build my consistency and get better and better.”
His fine form has seen him gain the attention of teams in the top tier, recently being snapped up by Wolverhampton where he rides with his Monarchs captain Sam Masters.
Riss added: “I was quite surprised to get the call. I was very satisfied with it though and I’m looking forward to it especially as I will get a lot more rides now.”
The Armadale men will need to cope without their powerhouse reserve this weekend as they face Workington Comets at Armadale on Friday before heading south to Peterborough on Sunday as Riss is involved in the Grand Prix qualifying events.
How the Monarchs cope without his scoring potential at the bottom end of the season will go a long way to seeing if the Parsons Peebles Monarchs can right the ship after last weekend’s hiccup.
I changed a few things, especially mentally, and I’m a lot more confident this year