After a very hard-fought match in which all fourteen riders played their full part, Monarchs stormed to a heat 15 5-1 to grab a narrow 46-44 victory over an outstanding Poole team in the BSN Series semi-final first leg. That was the only time the home side had led, indeed they faced a six-point deficit in mid-match, but showing great resilience they clawed it back and forced a last heat decider.

The hunt for the first trophy of the season intensifies tonight as the Monarchs face last year's double-winners Poole Pirates in the first leg of the BSN Series semi-final.

As any British Speedway fan already knows, the current Poole team is an outstanding one with strength throughout the ranks, so Monarchs face a very big test when they square up to the Pirates in Friday's first leg of the BSN Series semi-final.