Monarchs get trophy on Friday.

The Edinburgh Monarchs will take to the Armadale track as 2003 Premier League Champions on Friday, and will be presented with the trophy by Neil Machin, boss of 2002 Champions Sheffield. Then they will get down to the serious business of maintaining their unbeaten home league record as they take on Newcastle, the visiting team with by far the best record of any Armadale visitors who will field several track specialists.

One thing Edinburgh Monarchs know how to do is have a good time, with or without a good excuse. And what better excuse than a championship. Last Saturday there was an impromptu party at Monarchs' official meeting place, the Hampton Hotel, and this Saturday the Hampton will stage a further celebration. All supporters are invited to come along and meet the team (most will be there) any time from 8pm onwards.

Newcastle will as always be trying hard to enjoy further success at Armadale where they have been so successful in the past. Their star men are teenage sensation Kenneth Bjerre from Denmark and Coventry loanee Stuart Robson who rides for Newcastle under the controversial 'doubling-down' legislation.

But they also track former Monarchs' captain Kevin Little, and young William Lawson who had most of his early rides at Armadale. In addition, the much improved captain of the Dale Devils Craig Branney could be a threat at reserve.