Title Partner
REPORT Friday 18th May 2007, 10:00pm
Edinburgh Monarchs
The Scotwaste Monarchs led from heat 2 against the Isle of Wight, but they missed a few chances to win by more than the eventual 52-42 margin.
William Lawson was especially profligate, and had only 2 points from 4 rides when he was nominated for the final heat. In this, the race of the night, he became the only rider to beat Islanders? star Chris Holder.
With Ronnie Correy only winning one heat, it was left to three ex-dale Devils in Matthew wethers, Derek Sneddon and Andrew Tully to tot up 6 heats wins and 27 points between the, seeing Monarchs home.
The victory may have come at a price because Daniele Tessari crashed through the fence in heat 11, picking up a knee injury. He went to hospital after the meeting.
The heavy showers in the late afternoon left the track heavy and slippery and made good racing difficult, though there were a number of worthwhile heats, with the aggressive Jason Bunyan to the fore.
Holder made his mark right away with an easy win in heat 1, though partner Corey Gathercole spun off at the first bend and had a generally troubled night.
Tessari tussled with Andrew Bargh on the first lap of heat 2 before clinching the 5-1 behind Wethers.
A great first bend cutback by Andrew Tully took him clear of the opposition in heat 3, which was just as well as William Lawson stopped at the back.
There was no mistake from the fast-starting Henrik Moller and Matthew Wethers in heat 4 to give Monarchs an 8-point lead.
Gathercole fell twice in heat 5, causing a stoppage, so Holder had to win the heat twice which he did without difficulty. Lawson had further engine problems but limped home for a point.
Derek Sneddon was pushed wide and stranded at the first corner of heat 6, won by Correy. Racing hard, Sneddon regained third late in the race from Bargh.
Heat 7 was the best so far as Bunyan battled and bounced his way from third to pass Tessari and Moller for a well-earned win.
Our solid heat 8 pair of Sneddon and Wethers took an easy 5-1 and now we led 31-17.
Heat 9 should have been a favourable race for us, but when well ahead, William seemed to lose concentration, drifted out and spun in the mud on the pits corner.
So again it was left to Andrew Tully to take the 3 points as we increased the lead to 16.
In the first run of heat 10, Ronnie finished on the deck at the first bend as Sneddon and Stojanowski came out wide. Next time he was left at the back and finally stopped, as Derek took a second fine win. He had to work hard and stay focussed with Bunyan on his tail.
Heat 11 was the Holder TR heat, but Moller outgated him. Unfortunately Daniele tangled with Gathercole and took off, right through the fence with a loud bang, leaving a big hole.
There was a long delay and Daniele seems to have a fairly serious problem with his knee.
Holder raced away with the rerun while Matthew got into a similar position with Gathercole, but managed to back off and finish pointless.
Matthew was off gate 4 again in heat 12 but this time made the start. William was with him until Bunyan dived between them forcing William into the mud, and off. More points lost.
Heat 13 should have been shared but Henrik stopped, gifting another point to Phillips, whose score was inflated by gifts.
Phillips actually took a 15 metre TS ride in the next one, rather than the more obvious choice Bunyan. Andrew Tully went too wide and fell on the first corner, so there was another gift for Phillips as Wethers kept his head to win. Stojanowski failed to slow down for Phillips and we only lost a 3-4.
Lawson finally got himself organised and led the last heat from Holder. Bunyan and Wethers were having a tough battle when Bunyan charged under the home man and brought him off, earning an exclusion.
Holder took advantage to lead the rerun but this time Lawson cut under him, setting up a high speed battle of quality. Holder came through once but again Lawson took it back for a super win.
HERMISTON MONARCH OF THE MATCH: Matthew Wethers.
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Bathgate Road
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