Edinburgh Monarchs v Glasgow Tigers

REPORT Friday 5th October 2007, 10:00pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

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.

Full Result Details