VITAL VICTORY FOR MONARCHS

EDINBURGH won a key Armadale clash against Cab Direct Championship play-off rivals Plymouth to consolidate a top three place in the league table.

The Monarchs took a 52-38 victory on the night which also saw them claim the aggregate point and crucially put five points between themselves and the Gladiators in the standings.

Kye Thomson (12) and Dan Thompson (10) both hit double figures for the hosts but it was a complete team display with all six riders in the absence of Paco Castagna scoring at least paid nine.

That included reserves Jordy Loftus (8+3) and Mitchell Cluff (7+2) who outscored their Plymouth counterparts 15-2 – although the visitors’ top two did offer plenty of threat with Scott Nicholls on 12 and Danny King on 11+1.

Loftus said: “Very happy with the team’s performance, we all scored points and we got very few lasts.

“I’m quite happy with myself because I was paid for double figures and I’ve scored well in the last couple of home meetings.

“We knew we had to cover for Paco and we all scored points in his rides. It will be a confidence boost for tomorrow (Saturday) at Workington.”

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Photo credit: JACK CUPIDO