SO CLOSE IN THE PAIRS

NEWS Friday 31st May 2013, 11:09pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs were beaten semi-finalists in the Premier Pairs at Somerset tonight, with Craig Cook being the only unbeaten rider in the meeting. The winners were the home team Somerset Rebels, defeating Scunthorpe in the final.

Our team manager on the night, Kenny Crichton, said “The Boys are disappointed they didn’t do that little bit better, they worked well together.

“We were very disappointed that before the semi-final the water bowser broke down and soaked gate three, which was Claus’ gate. I complained to the referee but he said he couldn’t do anything about it, we had to press on with the meeting.”

Craig Cook won the semi from Doyle and Grajczonek, but in spite of a big effort Claus was at the back, which meant Somerset beat us 5-4.

In the second semi Scunthorpe beat Workington 5-4, the Scorpions keeping Richard Lawson at the back.

The final went to Somerset 7-2, the first time the Rebels have won at home in 7 attempts.

In our qualifying heats, we started with a 4-5 against Workington in a heat won by Craig Cook. Even at that early stage, that result set us on a likely collision course with Somerset for the semis.

We took a 6-3 against Plymouth in heat 8, Claus gaining third place this time, and our Dane was a flying winner in heat 14 as we took a 7-2 against Sheffield.

By our last ride, we could not catch Workington, but all we needed to do was avoid a 2-7 against Leicester, and Craig duly won again.

Did that water bowser rob us of a place in the final? We can only speculate about that.

It was the first time we've reached the semi-final since 2002 at Workington, but we were left with the feeling that it could have been even better.

Craig heads now for Cardiff where he is due to fill a reserve position, though as the whole of the speedway world now knows, there are major problems with the GP track.