ANOTHER BIG WIN

NEWS Friday 22nd August 2014, 11:59pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs maintained their perfect home league record when they beat Berwick 57-35 at Armadale, with Sam Masters unbeaten and all of the home side scoring well.

Berwick were livelier than on their recent KO Cup visit and had three different race winners, but they didn't really threaten to put Monarchs under pressure at any stage.

The home side unfortunately lost Aaron Fox who felt dizzy after his second place in heat 2. He was withdrawn as a precaution but felt OK later in the evening. As it was a previous injury Monarchs had to ride two heats with a single rider, though the referee didn't realise this till it was pointed out to him by the visiting manager.

Three 5-1s in the first five heats put Monarchs 21-9 ahead, though they lost a surprise 4-2 in heat 6 when Kevin Doolan beat Craig Cook in the race of the night. Cook made a poor start but gradually made up the ground, going ahead down the back straight on the final lap. However Doolan regained the lead on the final corner for a great win.

Advantages in the next three heats stretched Monarchs' lead to 20 points, and only their two one rider heats, allied to race wins in heats 10 and 12 for Steen Jensen, slowed the home team's progress.

Jensen was lively but it was hard to believe that he was allowed back in heat 7 after forcing Masters and Sneddon out on the second bend, and falling himself. This was his tactical ride but Monarchs took the 5-1 in the restaging anyway, Kus allowing Jensen into third on the final bend without any good reason.

Berwick's second TR in heat 9 (Doolan) also gained no additional points.

Steve Worrall was unbeaten in his first four heats before dropping a point to Doolan in heat 15, and Max Fricke was another who only lost one heat – to Jensen in heat 12.

Justin Sedgmen had another good night and Craig Cook scored paid 10, though he was unhappy with his gating. He had to work hard for his paid win in heat 13 after a battle with Vissing and Doolan.

Doolan and Jensen were the top Bandits with Kus not proving to be the threat he has been in most recent matches. His fellow reserve Alex Edberg won heat 2 but should not have been eligible for the final heat.

Full Result Details