MONARCHS SUFFER DOUBLE BLOW

EDINBURGH suffered a defeat at Poole - despite a heroic performance from reserve Mitchell Cluff. 

The Monarchs lost out by 52-38 to their Cab Direct Championship rivals in Dorset on Wednesday night. 

Young Aussie Cluff produced a wonderful 14 points from seven rides but it wasn’t enough to stop the home side going top of the table.

Monarchs captain Paco Castagna said: “It was always going to be tough at Poole. They are formidable at their place. 

“But we stayed as close as possible and Mitch put in a great display to keep us in it. 

“We had some bad luck with crashes as well with a couple of the guys getting hurt, so it’s been a hard night. 

“We just have to regroup now for a big match at home to Glasgow on Friday night at Armadale.”

It was close early on but the defending champions Pirates pulled clear comfortably after four races. 

Monarchs now have concerns over No.5 Kye Thomson after a big crash in Heat 13 and he misses Northampton's clash tonight. Jordy Loftus will miss Friday night's encounter with concussion.

Image by LannoNews.