THEO THE LONE STAR AT ASHFIELD

We were badly beaten in the first leg of the Scottish Cup at Ashfield today, 58-35, with Theo Pijper being the only Scotwaste Monarch to do himself justice.

It might seem to make the second leg more interesting, but that assuredly was not the intention.

We were hit by a morning call-off by Craig Cook due to a virus, in addition to the continuing absence of Max Fricke with his back injury.

We had allowed Glasgow to bring in David Bellego for Anders Thomsen (average 3.53) in view of their difficult season, but once our team was decimated it proved to be far too generous. That doesn't alter the fact that we performed poorly.

The choice of Nicki Barrett as a reserve guest was presumably based on some early-season success at Glasgow, but a glance at Nicki's recent form might have suggested that it wasn't a wise move. No doubt he did his best but he never looked like beating a home rider.

Had we stuck with our original plan to have Matthew Wethers at no. 7 and rider replacement at no. 1, we would surely have scored a few more points.

The track was quite heavy on the outside, but rideable for anyone prepared to race hard. We had won three times at Ashfield this year, but hopes that we might make it four didn't last long.

We did gain a 4-2 in heat 1, won by Matthew. We gated on a 5-1 but Derek rode too tight and was easily passed by Tigers' other guest Grajczonek.

Then followed a nightmare five heats which all finished 5-1 to the Tigers, who were probably somewhat surprised. We just weren't at the races. Claus did gate in heat 4 but pulled one of his wobblers, and our best effort during that miserable spell was by Matthew again, a bold enough effort against Bellego and Grieves whilst taking our first TR.

Mercifully Theo on our second TR in heat 7 did pull in six points, but here again Jozsef Tabaka held second only to surrender position to the wider riding North.

Derek Sneddon led heat 8 and had gated so well that he was comfortably in front by the fourth bend, when he went wide and came off heavily.

By heat 9 Claus had convinced himself to ride a bit harder, and he almost caught Bellego. Theo rode another smooth race to win heat 10, and then repeated that in heat 12 in which he handed the first defeats of the day to Bellego and reserve Joey Ringwood.

Claus had got going now and teamed up with Matthew in heat 13 for a 5-1. Matthew rode neatly on the inside and they gave Josh Grajczonek no chance even though he put in some strong challenges. This was probably the race of the day.

Jozsef was way off the pace in heat 14 and finally Theo took second in the final race after lifting slightly down the back straight.

It wasn't what we have become used to from the team, though of course it wasn't the usual team either. Derek and Jozsef will certainly have to up their game for the important matches ahead, and we need a fit Craig and Max with the utmost urgency.

Glasgow must wish they could have fielded this well-balanced team all season, what a difference it would have made.

NEXT IT'S THE SCOTTISH CUP

The Scotwaste Monarchs are in action at Ashfield on Sunday afternoon in the first leg of the Scottish Cup.

UPDATE: Craig Cook contacted the Scotwaste Monarchs management early on Sunday morning to confirm that the virus that he had been fighting with antibiotics since the latter part of last week had won and he wouldn't be at Ashfield this afternoon. That has forced another reshuffle in the Scotwaste Monarchs team.

Berwick's Matthew Wethers and Nicki Barrett now come into our team as guest replacements for Craig Cook and Max Fricke with Tommy Fenwick standing in for Mitchell Davey.For the Tigers Josh Grajczonek replaces the retired Joe Screen and David Bellego replaces Anders Thomsen.

The meeting gets underway at 3.00pm

Max Fricke continues to improve on a daily basis but he will also miss the match at Workington on Monday. Henning Bager will take his place. Max will continue with physiotherapy treatment on Monday and is still hopeful that he will be able to resume on Tuesday. At Armadale.