ONLY A SEVEN POINT LEAD

NEWS Friday 25th May 2007, 11:59pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs face a very tough task to make the KO Cup semi final after winning the first leg by just 48-41 - by no means as many as they would have liked.

Already missing Ronnie Correy and Daniele Tessari, Monarchs' guest Stan Burza suffered bad luck when he stopped while leading heat 10 - just as Derek Sneddon fell off while battling with Emil Kramer.

This double disaster handed Rebels a 5-0. On the other hand of course this prevented a TR for Zetterstrom in the next heat.

Overall though Monarchs just didn't do enough - they were probably looking for an advantage of at least 20 to take to the Oak Tree Arena.

Matthew Wethers was again in great form, scoring 15 and winning the Hermiston Monarch of the Match for the second week running. He pulled off the result of the night in a thrilling heat 14 after rearing and breaking the tapes.

He took the option of a ride off 15 metres, with Andrew Tully at the gate. Warwick and Walker gated, but Tully passed them both, followed by Wethers who stormed through from the back in a great effort that had the crowd roaring.

Rebels took a 5-1 back in the final race though, and not for the first time it was in the heat leader departments that insufficient points were scored.

Ricky Ashworth is the guest replacement for Ronnie Correy at Somerset on Monday, and the no. 7 has still to be finalised.

Full Result Details