Monarchs missing key duo due to fixture clash
Sam and Josh must race in Poland
The Edinburgh Monarchs have been left frustrated by a fixture clash that will deny them of two of their top riders for this weekend’s battle with Glasgow Tigers.
The Monarchs take on their Scottish rivals in the Knockout Cup, with the first leg at the Armadale Stadium tomorrow night (Friday).
However, they will have to make do without influential pair Sam Masters and Josh Pickering for the return leg in Glasgow the following day after the Aussie pair’s Polish side Rawicz Speedway brought their previously scheduled Sunday fixture forward 24 hours.
That means that the Monarchs will have to make do without both riders as they looked to progress into the semifinals of the competition.
The club said that there had been direct communication between the Monarchs and Rawicz to ensure that the clash didn’t happen.
However, they have accused the Polish side of moving their fixture without providing an explanation.
A Monarchs statement said: “Following direct communication with the Rawicz promotion to confirm the Polish date, the Glasgow v Edinburgh fixture was deliberately scheduled for Saturday to avoid the clash with Rawicz’s fixture on Sunday.
“The Rawicz fixture then moved to Saturday without any further communication, leaving Monarchs working tirelessly to avert the clash – but to no avail.
“The fixture change leaves Sam and Josh with little option but to return to Poland as the British Knock Out
Cup fixture holds no precedence over Polish league fixtures.
“Monarchs bosses are working around the clock to secure suitable guests to fill the void left by Sam and Josh.”
On a more upbeat note, the statement went on: “Despite the challenging circumstances, Monarchs enter the weekend as underdogs and are determined to create another Knock Out Cup upset for the Tigers.”
The first leg takes place at Armadale Stadium on Friday, with the action getting underway from 7.30pm.
The return leg will take place on Saturday at the Peugeot Ashfield Stadium in Glasgow with a 7pm start.
Following that double-header the Monarchs then head south on Wednesday night for a return to SGB Championship action when they take on the Birmingham Brummies.