Isle of Wight Islanders v Edinburgh Monarchs

REPORT Tuesday 15th July 2008, 10:00pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

We didn't look like one of the league's best sides as we went down to a heavy defeat at the Isle of Wight.

If it is any consolation, Somerset promoter Mike Golding who was there spectating said "We're rubbish here too!"

We had been promised a wet, heavy circuit by Jason Bunyan after our big home win over the Islanders, and that's what we got. The track staff were even standing in puddles on the track, watering away with the hose.

Stoney got a second in heat 1, but Thomas was well tailed off.

Derek barged Holder out of the way on the first corner of heat 2, but got it back with interest up the back straight as Holder went ahead.

Fry won heat 3 with Ryan Fisher beating top average man Phillips, but we were six down already.

Matthew made a good start in heat 4 and immediately got on the right wide line to give the home men no chance.

Stoney split the Islanders in heat 5 with Thomas adrift again, and the strong Bunyan / Fry duo took 5 in heat 6 even though Matthew chased hard.

Ryan had looked pretty good in his first ride so we put him out on a TR in heat 7, and he led from the start. He didn't cover the wide line well enough though and Stojanowski came through. Andrew took third and at least we had an advantage.

Unfortunately on the warm-down lap Ryan blew his motor.

Thomas had a much better ride in heat 8, hitting the first turn between the two Islanders. Bunyan just got round him to win.

In the first attempt at heat 9 Derek made his best start but was the victim of a Paul Fry move on the second bend, coming down heavily. Matthew tried hard to catch yhe home pair in the rerun but eventually slid off.

Heat 10 was an easy home 5-1 with Ryan on a slower engine, but we had something to shout about in heat 11.

Bargh and Stojanowski gated, but Thomas sliced past the Pole on the banked pits bend. He chased hard after Bargh and eventually caught him as well for a brilliant win.

Andrew was showing improved form and took a second from heat 12, and Stoney and Matthew shared heat 13. They were in front of Stojanowski when he pulled up.

Ryan spit the hme men in heat 14 and we finished off with another maximum loss to concede 60 for the first and hopefully last time this season.

Full Result Details