Edinburgh Monarchs face a crunch week as they are locked in title battle with Somerset Rebels at the top of the Premier League.

Somerset's win at Reading on Monday means the two teams are both on 43 points at the top of the league.

Monarchs have three matches in four days - at Redcar Bears on Thursday, at home to Newcastle Diamonds on Friday and then away to Newcastle on Sunday.

The Armadale-based side have also been given a warning from Newcastle team manager George English who said: ?Newcastle are not the team Monarchs would choose to be facing at this stage!?

Newcastle have a strong record record at Armadale which includes an unequalled six victories in 11 seasons.