Sam Masters pleads with Monarchs fans to be patient

Monarchs' new-look team has struggled so far this season. Pic: Ron MacNeill

Despite a 15-point maximum from Masters that came hard on the heels of a magnificent 17-point haul at Glasgow Tigers, the Aussie was disappointed by the overall performance.

He said: “We really wanted to get our home campaign off to a good start because it would have been good for confidence and something we could have carried forward.

“We do have riders in our side who will need time to settle in. In the past it has only been one rider that has needed to bed down, but this year we have a few and I would urge fans to be patient with them.”

Masters, however, remains confident that Monarchs will steer a more settled course before their opening Premier League fixture against Workington Comets in two weeks’ time.

“I think we have a talented team this year,” he continued on his website. “Yes we have inexperienced guys, but we also have seasoned professionals like Ryan Fisher and Kevin Wolbert who can guide them and in the long run this will be a good Edinburgh side.”

Berwick’s victory was only their second triumph at the Lothian Arena in 18 years and Masters added: “It was a hard match for us. I had said beforehand that Berwick have improved and had strength all the way through, and this proved to be correct. That is not an excuse for losing but sometimes you have to hold your hands and say we were beaten fair and square.”

Yet despite winning all of his five starts, Masters pointed out: “It was nice not to lose a race and as captain and leader of the Edinburgh team I want to lead by example. I had a good night individually, but the team lost so it became a bad night.”

And, with Glasgow Tigers the visitors on Friday, Monarchs could be at their mercy.