Brilliant show by Wolbert Image Credit: Ron MacNeill

TIGHT MATCH BUT ALL THREE POINTS GAINED

NEWS Friday 30th September 2011, 11:58pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs swapped 5-1s early on with the Leicester Lions, and were still trailing at heat 7, but with Wolbert and Tully unbeatable and a fine show from Kalle Katajisto, they came through to seal all three points at the end.

The final score of 51-42 looks relatively comfortable, but it wasn't! The track was far wetter than several of the home men like it, and both Craig Cook and Kyle Howarth as well as guest reserve Adam McKinna found it tough going in the early stages.

To Cook's credit he gritted his teeth and took a determined win over Nieminen in heat 11, and pulled off a pass from a long way back against the same rider in heat 13.

But it was the dominance of Wolbert and Tully which eventually proved decisive. Even men like Karlsson and Nieminen could not touch the home stars, and the top duo sealed all three points with a 5-1 in the final heat.

To be honest the most impressive visitor was National League Riders' Champion Jason Garrity, and it was something of a relief to the home support that he wasn't given any extra rides prior to the last race. He took only his programmed rides, but came out on a tactical ride in heat 14 and won the race to score 6.

He was given the final heat as well but by then it was too late.

Katajisto's performance (8 points) was very important on a night when even Matthew Wethers looked a bit below par.

The home reserves were not competitive and this threw a lot of pressure on the top five.

A better crowd than in recent weeks enjoyed a tight match and thankfully the forecast rain stayed away.