ANOTHER STEP UP FOR COOKIE

NEWS Saturday 19th October 2013, 10:15pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Craig Cook gave a great account of himself at Swindon tonight by taking third place in the Elite League Riders Championship, won for the second time by former Monarch Rory Schlein.

Craig was clearly determined to do well on a track made treacherous by pre-meeting rain. There was a half hour delay at the start and other breaks for grading, and some of the big names did not seem to fancy the conditions.

Cook though didn't allow himself to be put off and won the opening race from gate four, in the fastest time of the night.

Another rider impressive in the early stages was Jason Doyle who won his first two heats. Craig's next outing was heat 8, more than an hour after his first, and he was 'enjoying' the same poor draw number he had in the PLRC.

He made a poor start this time and pulled out at the back against the tough opposition of Andersen, Doyle and Kildemand.

Rory Schlein recovered from a bad start to win his next two heats, taking a point off Doyle, and Niels Kristian Iversen moved his score on to 8 by the time of Craig's third ride in heat 12.

This time he was outgated by Freddie Lindgren but showed far more determination, passing the Wolves rider on the outside on lap two. The outside was the best passing line but you needed courage and skill to ride there.

It was announced at this point that the semi finals and final would be run after heat 16 due to the conditions and delays already endured by the fans.

By the time of Craig's final ride Iversen had scored 10, with Schlein and Doyle on 9. However by heading home Bjerre, Zengota and Buczowski he also reached 9 with three race wins, equal to Rory but having headed Rory in heat one.

So it was Iversen and Cook direct to the final, and they were joined by Andersen and Schlein after Rory had got the better of a battle with Doyle in the semi.

Cook had gate two in the final but wasn't away well. Schlein subdued the early challenge of Iversen, and Cook never gave up, passing Andersen with a cutback off the pits bend.

A tremendous result for the Monarch and ex-Monarch. Not only did Rory add the title to his 2011 victory, he also led the final last year and was top qualifier for the final in his Monarchs' days in 2004! So it really does seem to be his event.

What next for Craig Cook? He has some big dates next weekend, and we hope also to stage a winter "Evening with Cookie" which Craig and his dad have suggested in aid of the Fence Fund. More details on that shortly.