TROPHY FOR JAMES ON ARMADALE FAREWELL

NEWS Friday 11th October 2013, 11:00pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs won 51-42 on the night, but that wasn't enough to win the Scottish Cup which went to Glasgow by 100-86 on aggregate.

There were a lot of guests on show but the star was a familiar face, James Grieves inspiring his Glasgow squad with his 16 point score on his 99th and last Armadale appearance.

His performance was a reminder of many great displays over the years, for and against the Monarchs. He came from the back to join Ashley Morris for a 5-1 in heat 7, dropped his only point to Derek Sneddon in an exciting heat 12 and finished with a very powerful first corner in heat 15 to ensure that he won his final race.

A score of 16+1 was fitting reward and in addition to 12+1 from Ricky Wells, it ensured that Monarchs never threatened to pull back the 23 points lost in the first leg.

That they won the match at all owed a lot to Derek Sneddon (paid maximum from 4 reserve rides) and Theo Pijper's three heat wins, plus solid displays from Tabaka, Fricke and Vissing.

At no. 1 Morten Risager had his poorest Armadale meeting and certainly didn't replace the likely score of Craig Cook, away riding for Belle Vue.

Overall Monarchs were in fairly sluggish form and will want to ride better in the forthcoming Premier Playoff Final.

Glasgow tracked four guests in all. Thomas Jorgensen perhaps had the best race win of the night in heat 6, coming from third to first, and Ashley Morris looked lively but didn't have much luck. Tigers' fourth guest, Ryan Douglas, was expected to do well but had a lot of problems.

Monarchs have won 7 out of 8 matches against Glasgow this season, but that Scottish Cup first leg defeat is a bit of a blot on the landscape.