Champions Pirates track a strong side

NEWS Tuesday 11th August 2026, 8:52pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Monarchs still have work to do if they are to secure a Championship Playoff place by finishing in the top four this season. This Friday at Armadale they face a very tough assignment with reigning champions the Poole Pirates providing the opposition, and fielding a new signing plus a strong guest reserve.

The new signing is American Slater Lightcap, currently highly placed in the SGP2 which is effectively the Under-21 World Championship. The guest rider is Edward Kennett who stands in for the injured Kyle Newman at number 7.

Monarchs are also missing their regular no. 7 as Jordy Loftus has to stay on the sidelines following a concussion in the recent away match at Poole. Guesting in his place will be Oxford's Darryl Ritchings.

Poole heat leaders Richard Lawson, Zach Cook and Lewis Kerr are a formidable trio and they will have 16 year old Cooper Rushen, though his young compatriot Will Cairns is overseas and rider replacement will apply for him.

Team Manager Alex Harkess realises how tough it will be but calls on the team to be at their best. "Poole have always set the standards throughout the last few years, they tend to be very impressive wherever they go. This year they've proved they are human and can have a poor result every now and then.

"We have a team that, believe it or not, if they could all just do what they are supposed to do, I think they'd be a very very good team. But that's three draws now that they've had where the other team have had to come from behind. As far as I'm concerned three times we've thrown away a lead. We've got to beat Poole on Friday that's for sure, it's as simple as that."

Friday's match will be Live Streamed on the British Speedway Network

FRIDAY'S MATCH:

Friday 14th August: Edinburgh Monarchs v Poole Pirates (Championship, Armadale, 7:30pm)

ROSS ECO TECHNOLOGIES MONARCHS: Dan Thompson, Jonatan Grahn, Justin Sedgmen, Paco Castagna (capt.), Kye Thomson, Mitch Cluff, Darryl Ritchings.

POOLE WESSEX MARINE PIRATES: Richard Lawson, rider replacement for Will Cairns, Lewis Kerr, Cooper Rushen, Zach Cook (capt.), Slater Lightcap, Edward Kennett.

Dan Thompson rides on Saturday at Belle Vue in the British Final.