JUST A SIX-POINT ADVANTAGE

NEWS Saturday 27th March 2010, 11:25pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Having established a 14-point advantage with two heats to go, Monarchs shed two surprise 1-5s to finish just 51-45 ahead going in to the Spring Trophy second leg at Ashfield tomorrow.

A bike problem for Matthew Wethers at the start of heat 14 effectively ruled him out of the race, and there was another surprise prior to the final heat when Ryan Fisher was not announced in the lineup. He was unbeaten from four rides but had a machine problem which caused him to miss out on the race.

Earlier, the plus points for Monarchs had been heat leader showings from Fisher and Tully, with no. 7 Kalle Katajisto giving an entertaining display which earned him his highest total to date, 11+1.

He still has plenty to learn but his heat 8 win from the back on the last corner against Robert Ksiezak showed he is learning.

Jozsef Tabaka took a tumble into the fence trying to pass Davey in heat 6, and sustained mild concussion. He will be riding at Ashfield tomorrow though.

Aaron Summers rode steadily and won one heat in his stand-in role for Kevin Wolbert.

For the Tigers, James Grieves was right at his best with just one point dropped, and McGowan was much better than the previous week. Lee Dicken rode better than his score of 4 suggested and Mitchell Davey had his moments, stopping while leading heat 2 but winning his final ride.

It will be a tough battle if we are to regain the Spring Trophy tomorrow.

Full Result Details