MONARCHS STUNNED BY GLADIATORS

PLYMOUTH pulled off a shock 48-42 win at Edinburgh in the Cab Direct Championship despite having no senior replacement for injured No.1 Nico Covatti.

The Gladiators used Northern-based NDL rider Mason Watson in place of Covatti and they were already ahead when the Monarchs’ own No.1 Josh Pickering crashed out of the meeting with a shoulder injury in Heat 6.

Dan Thompson put in another superb display for the visitors with 13 points, whilst Kyle Newman and ex-Edinburgh rider Jacob Hook confirmed the away win with a 5-1 in Heat 14.

Kye Thomson, with 14+3 from seven rides, and Justin Sedgmen with 12+1 from six, were left with little support in the home scorechart.

Monarchs boss Alex Harkess said: “Their reserves were too strong for ours and we were always chasing our tail. Everyone was saying Plymouth were one of the weaker teams, but it just goes to show.

“We started the match two riders down and went to three riders down, and you just can’t carry that.”

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Photo credit: JACK CUPIDO