Edinburgh Monarchs v Glasgow Tigers

The Scotwaste Monarchs produced a sparkling display in the last Armadale meeting of the season, beating Glasgow 56-37 in the Scottish Cup.

The margin could have been even bigger, but for mechanical problems affecting Paul Clews and Derek Sneddon. Rider replacement for Andrew Tully failed to produce any points in his first three heats, and yet Monarchs always held the upper hand against a disappointing Glasgow team.

For the Tigers, only James Grieves enhanced his reputation. Guesting for Parker, he was first to the first bend in all of his races, though he was twice pegged back ? by Laukkanen in heat 3 and by Stancl in a sensational heat 10.

Right from the first heat it was clear that George Stancl was in the mood as he won heat 1 in a fast time. His mid-season replacement at Glasgow, Craig Watson, would have finished last but for Derek Sneddon sliding off the track as his motor failed when in third place. So it hadn?t taken long for Monarchs? first engine problem.

Michael Coles shot through the tapes in heat 2, won well by home guest Paul Clews. Dan Giffard took the point, though it was the last he got.

James Grieves led heat 3 but Kaj Laukkanen was soon challenging, and moved smoothly through on the pits corner for a good win.

Lee Dicken made the start in heat 4 but Matthew Wethers soon passed him. Then we watched Clews follow suit, first passing Leverington and then Dicken to back Matthew to a 5-1.

Watson was away quickest in heat 5 but it did seem that Clews would go round him leaving the second bend. However that gap was closed sharply by Watson and Clews came down ? and was ruled out by the ref.

Laukkanen comfortably won the rerun and again Monarchs were left to rue lost points.

The first running of heat 6 ended with fast starting Leverington against the fence as Stancl came hard under him on the first bend. No mistakes in the rerun with Stancl and Sneddon well clear, increasing Monarchs? lead to 10.

That was the cue for James Grieves to take a TR and score 6 by heading Wethers, though not by much. Ksiezak took the third from the disappointing Giffard.

Derek Sneddon led all the way in heat 8, but there was further disappointment for Clews as he stopped while lying second. Not only that but heat 9 would have been a clear chance to use Clews again against Leverington and Coles, but instead Giffard had to take the ride and finished at the rear as Laukkanen won again.

Heat 10 was a fantastic battle, Grieves leading the way but Stancl powering through hard going into lap 2. Grieves came back, but Stancl settled the issue with a brilliant outside pass on the pits bend ? probably his best ride in Monarchs? colours.

Clews was back in the fray for heat 11, winning well with Wethers backing up, holding off the challenging McAllan.

Kaj Laukkanen lost his unbeaten record to Grieves in heat 12 with Clews third.

Stancl led heat 13 from the start and once again it was Wethers in backup, rounding the Tigers? pair to set up another 5-1.

Not much had been seen of Ksiezak but he gated in heat 14. Clews was quickly past him in to the pits corner, and Derek Sneddon also moved in to challenge. Ksiezak was riding a wide line to catch the dirt, but he misjudged it and hit the fence. Sneddon came through and the race was correctly allowed to run.

Monarchs now had a lead which reflected their superiority, but they couldn?t add to it as Grieves again showed his determination and gating skill to reach the first bend ahead in the final race.

But for non-finishes Monarchs may well have topped 60, but at least they gave a fine display to finish the Armadale season.

Edinburgh Monarchs v Glasgow Tigers

So to the last match at Armadale for this season where we end the year as we began it with a match against Glasgow Tigers this time for the Scottish Cup.

At reserve this week the Monarchs have Paul Clews, who rode so well for us a couple of weeks ago against Somerset, and Daniel Giffard making the long trip north from his Eastbourne home although he will be riding at Redcar on Thursday night in the Young Shield against Glasgow. Andrew Tully's absence from the side will be covered by Rider Replacement with Derek Sneddon and the two reserves being allowed the extra rides.

Glasgow have lost Shane Parker for the season and have James Grieves as a guest. Grieves needs no introduction at Armadale and has sparkled in his matches against us this season. There must be a small doubt as to his complete fitness following his crash at Ashfeld in which Parker sustained his injuries but, if he is on song, we are in for a tough time.

Craig Watson is expected to be back in the Tigers' team for this match although I doubt whether he would rate Armadale as his favourite away track. The rest of the Tigers' team have all had their moments at the Dale. David McAllan has had some excellent scores as has Robert Ksiezak especially when they make good starts. Trent Leverington has rarely impressed though and often struggled as have the two Glasgow reserves, Lee Dicken and Michael Coles.

I think that there may not be much in it from the scores from the top two from both sides. However George Stancl has really looked a class act at Armadale recently and it might be only James Grieves who gives him problems. Kai Laukkanen should at least hold his own with Watson and may edge this battle but Edinburgh should have a big advantage at number 5 where Matthew Wethers should surely outscore Leverington. The outcome of the battle of the number twos will depend on the gating of Derek Sneddon and McAllan. Derek has not been at his best in the last couple of matches and we need him to hit the high spots again in this match.

Robert Ksiezak could be a big danger at number 4 especially if he is allowed to dominate the starts and this is where Glasgow could hit us hard. To succeed and take a decent lead to Ashfield on Sunday we must restrict his scoring. At reserve there should be some interesting battles. Paul Clews need only repeat his form against Somerset for us to give us a big advantage although Daniel Giffard is a bit of an unknown quantity. Lee Dicken has had a good run recently but is not exactly an Armadale specialist. Neither is Michael Coles and we could for a change have the better of things from the reserve berths.

It looks an interesting match and there probably may not be too much in it at the end. We need to take some sort of lead through to Ashfield on Sunday where the return match forms the second half of a double-header with Redcar facing Glasgow in the Young Shield before us. We have successfully defended smallish leads at Ashfield before and may well have to do so again if we are to bring the Cup home again.