What the Fork Monarchs are through to the semi-final of the Knockout Cup after a 50-40 victory at Birmingham. Their opponents will be Glasgow Tigers.

Monarchs held an 18-point lead from the first-leg and romped over the line, winning by ten points on the night and 104-76 on aggregate.

On a track where passing was at an absolute premium, it was the Armadale men who lead from the start with captain Sam Masters and Josh Pickering (pictured) in blistering form, recording full maximums.

Jubilant team boss John Campbell said it was a great performance. He added: “Even if we didn’t gate first, we rode harder into the first corner and that was where it was won.

“Having two riders score maximums make’s it so much easier and they were superb.”

He felt the track was improved from their last visit two weeks ago and he said: “It’s been a great night not only to get through but to win which sets us up really nicely for the weeks to come.”

The only downside was Anders Rowe who felt pain in his knee but Dan Gilkes was an excellent guest, according to Campbell.

Monarchs lost by 14 points at the same venue two weeks ago so this was a big turnaround and the quarter-final was mathematically over by the end of Heat Ten.

The win sets Monarchs up well for their play-off quarter-final clashes against Redcar Bears this weekend but for the hosts it was an emotional night.

Club owners David and Peter Mason recently announcing they would be walking away at the end of the season with no buyers currently forthcoming.

Birmingham 40: Harris 9+2, Grobauer 7+1, Shanes 5+2, Morris 6, Riss 5, Ruml 0, Thomas 8+3
Edinburgh 50: Masters 12, Rowe 1, Thomson 9+2, Pickering 15, Worrall 7, Kemp 2, Gilkes 4+2

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