Monarchs startingto getback intogear
The Edinburgh Monarchs are starting to climb the SGB Championship table after following up an impressive Friday night home win over the Birmingham Brummies with a hard-earned bonus point loss away to Plymouth Gladiators on Tuesday night.
The Armadale-based club had struggled in the early part of the season, including suffering a three-game losing streak, but they were in fine form in front of the home crowd on Friday night.
A 52-36 victory over the Brummies is their largest of the 2022 campaign with Jacob Hook tallying an impressive paid-11 points as the depleted hosts sealed the win despite injuries to both Lasse Fredriksen and James Sarjeant.
Italian ace Paco Castagna believes the side have found their ‘groove’ despite those injuries and a tough start to the campaign.
He said: “It was unfortunate that we lost Lasse when James is already injured. I don’t know what will happen now with the team.
“But I think the team is getting in the groove now. I think Hooky was good tonight as well.”
In the midweek clash on the south coast, the Monarchs fell to a 48-42 defeat but did earn themselves a losing bonus point.
Young Aussie Hook only picked up 5+1 on this occasion but earned special praise from co-promoter John Campbell for his never-saydie attitude.
Campbell commented: “I’m very proud of the boys. We exceeded expectations.
“It was great that Sam Masters and Josh Pickering got the 5-1 that we needed in heat 15 to get a well deserved Championship point.
“A special mention to Jacob Hook for sticking in after four pointless rides and getting his reward.”
It looked like a very long night could be on the cards for the away side as Plymouth raced out to an eight-point lead after just three heats but the fighting spirit of the Monarchs came to the fore and they were able to rescue a point.