Scottish Cup regained and Kye back for 2027

REPORT Friday 9th October 2026, 11:08pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Monarchs sent their fans home happy after the last meeting of the Armadale season, by beating a tenacious Glasgow side 47-42 on the night to win the 2026 Scottish Cup by a margin of 11 points. The weather was pretty dismal but not quite bad enough to spoil the party, as most of the riders made light of the conditions.

Monarchs' team manager Alex Harkess was a happy man at the end, having seen his team respond to his call for them to finish the season on a high. "The night went very well considering the conditions and it was an excellent way to finish.

"Our guests did a great job. Victor Palovaara was as good as anybody on the night, and he enjoyed every minute of it. Our other guest Tate Zischke actually guested for us in both legs of the cup, and did very, very well at Glasgow, so his contribution was very good over the two legs. Jordy Loftus had a good night as well and it makes a big difference when your reserves are matching their reserves.

"As the night went on gating became more important. In the big races we gated well. Glasgow threatened to come back at us but we did the job. It was nice to get the 5-1 in heat 14 and take the pressure off."

There was further joy for the Monarchs' fans when it was announced that no. 1 Kye Thomson would be back in blue and gold next season. His improvement this year has been exceptional and he had four wins on this final night.

Monarchs sped into a lead of 11-6 after three heats, with the reserve race being rerun after Vinnie Foord fell with Mitch Cluff already stopped.

A heat 4 5-1 for Harris and Foord was quickly reversed by Palovaara and Sedgmen, and when another maximum 5-1 came along in heat 8 from Grahn and Loftus, the home team seemed to be strolling to victory.

You can never count Glasgow out though and they clawed back six points in the next two races, followed by two more in heat 12. Their guest Nick Morris was star performer for the visitors and that never comes as a surprise these days.

Monarchs were now only one up on the night but Kye Thomson steadied the ship with a big win in heat 13, and the Palovaara – Loftus 5-1 in heat 14 made victory on the night and in the Scottish Cup a certainty.

Full marks to both teams for knuckling down to the job, and plaudits also to the Monarchs for not losing any of the six matches this season against their great rivals (3 wins and 3 draws). They'd take that any season.

Full Result Details