MONARCHS MAKE PROGRESS

EDINBURGH booked their place in the Championship play-off semi-finals with a ten-point aggregate win over Redcar.

The Monarchs took a 54-36 first leg advantage to the Ecco Arena, and although they found themselves under early pressure as the margin was cut to eight points after four races, they regained control of the tie with a 5-1 in Heat 5.

It was the second year in succession that the Armadale side had knocked the Bears out at the quarter-final stage, with their progression effectively sealed by a 3-3 in Heat 13 as Sam Masters and Josh Pickering kept home skipper Charles Wright at the back.

Edinburgh captain Masters top-scored with 13 points, whilst the Bears had reserve Kasper Andersen (11+1) and the returning Erik Riss (11) in double figures as they won 49-41 on the night.

Masters said: “It was good we had the lead after the home leg, but they pushed us in the first couple of heats.

“But we got the job done in the end and finished with a 5-1 so that was nice.”

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Photo credit: COLIN POOLE