Monarchs kick-start new season with Glasgow double-header

There has been a thawing in relations between Edinburgh Monarchs and Glasgow Tigers which will see the clubs kick-start the 2018 season with home and away Scottish Cup ties.

Monarchs will travel to Ashfield Stadium for the first leg on Friday, March 23 with the second leg at Armadale Stadium a week later.

Monarchs co-promoter John Campbell said: “There is no better way than a Scottish derby to get supporters taste buds tingling.”

Tigers spokesman Gerry Facenna said: “We are moving to a regular Friday night race night this season and there is no better way to open our season with a visit from the Monarchs. We are looking forward to it.”

Campbell added: “It is hoped these opening derby meetings will be well-supported by both sets of supporters to get the season off to a rousing start. If this turns out to be the case we will look to restore the Scottish Cup to the calendar for all future seasons.”

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MONARCHS’ 2018 FIXTURES

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HOME

March 30: Glasgow (Scottish Cup second leg); April 1: Scunthorpe; April 6: TBC; April 13: Workington Championship Shield); April 20: Glasgow (Championship Shield); April 27: Berwick (Championship Shield); May 4: Peterborough; May 11: TBC; May 18: TBC; May 25: Glasgow (KO Cup); June 1: Reserved (Championship Shield semi final); June 8: Lakeside; June 15: Newcastle; June 22: TBC; June 29: (KO Cup second round); July 6: Caledonian Riders Championship; July 13: Ipswich; July 27: Redcar; August 3: Scunthorpe; August 10: Berwick; August 17: Sheffield; August 24: Glasgow; August 31: Workington.

AWAY

March 23: Glasgow (Scottish Cup first leg); April 7: Berwick (Championship Shield); April 14: Workington (Championship Shield); April 22: Glasgow (Championship Shield); May 13: Peterborough; May 19: Lakeside; May 27: Glasgow (KO Cup); June 17: Newcastle; June 21: Ipswich; July 12: Redcar; August 11: Berwick; August 23: Sheffield; August 26: Glasgow; September 1: Workington.

All fixtures SGB Championship unless stated.