Chargers in total command

REPORT Friday 2nd June 2023, 11:20pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs Academy

Tonight's National League match was expected to be close, but as it turned out it wasn't, because after a fairly well contested first six heats which left the Stellar Monarchs Academy two points in arrears, Oxford won all but one of the remaining races and finished with four 5-1s in the last five heats.

The only home rider who enhanced his reputation was Dayle Wood who has struggled for points so far this season, but got well stuck in tonight and provided quite a bit of entertainment. He told the Monarchs' Friday Focus internet show "It was unfortunate for the boys, not the result we wanted, but a big improvement for me, getting out of the starts. I had made some changes to my bike, still a few mistakes cost me a few points but that's racing."

Dayle won heat 2, missed out on another win in heat 8 when he fell when well clear on the last lap, and scored in all of his five races.

The Monarchs Academy had no answer to the blitz and could only take two race wins, these coming through Dale Wood in heat 2 and Jacob Hook in heat 4 – the only time one of the three visiting heat leaders was beaten. This was a good ride by Hook to pass Ryan Kinsley.

Jordan Jenkins and Henry Atkins were never seriously challenged, although Jenkins was behind at least a couple of times. Atkins was particularly impressive in winning all his five races easily.

The Academy had until this week three riders who were racing in the Championship, the same number as the Chargers, but the home trio were completely outclassed to be frank. Adam Roynon made a couple of starts but proved to be vulnerable off the second bend, and Kyle Bickley never got into the match at all.

Having been dropped from the Monarchs' side, Bickley and Hook might have gone out to show the promotion they had done the wrong thing, but if that was their intention they did not achieve it on this showing. Hook was probably the best of the home heat leaders, even though Roynon scored more, and he was involved in a good tussle with Jenkins and Kinsley in heat 13 before being pegged back. Jacob lost points in heat 11 when he spun off at the first corner after Jenkins clamped him down going in to the bend.

The Academy lost Alex Spooner who took a heavy fall in heat 9 and withdrew from the meeting, and there were quite a few fallers during the evening, as well as some fast times by recent NDL standards.

Oxford were as impressive as their total of 57 suggests. As well as the heat leaders, Jacob Clouting had two paid wins (including heat 1) and lost further points through falls. Jody Scott improved all night and finished with a paid win, and Kelsey Dugard scored well at reserve. Even the complete newcomer Mark Parker bagged a couple of points and rode steadily.

Heavy home defeats seem to be currently in fashion at Armadale and supporters will be hoping for better displays. The new Monarch Bastian Borke spoke to the crowd tonight in an interview and also had a practise session at the end of the night, so that might be the first step towards improving things.

Full Result Details