MONARCHS ARE BELIEVERS

EDINBURGH manager Alex Harkess says his side are wholly capable of producing a full team effort to reach the Cab Direct Championship Grand Final.

The Monarchs will take a 14-point advantage on the short journey to rivals Glasgow next week after an eventful semi-final first leg where their margin of victory could have been even greater.

Harkess said: “Early on we probably gated better than we ever have, and what they put into it, the will to win, seemed greater than it’s ever been at Armadale. The determination to do well was the best it has been all year.

“It was unfortunate that it slipped away slightly. They had a couple of riders who were also determined to do well which is what you would expect, and they made some starts. In the conditions it was difficult to pass, and we knew that. So that’s what it is, 14 points.

“We’ve scored 32 and 37 on our last two trips to Glasgow, but on both these occasions we didn’t have anywhere near a seven-man team actually doing well.

“I think we have the makings of a seven-man team now and if they show the same determination as they showed in the first leg, I’m sure we’ll be there or thereabouts.”