FAIR LEAD IN THE CUP SEMI

The Border Roofing Monarchs have a 22-point advantage in the KO Cup semi-final after a 56-34 victory over Newcastle, which it might be noted was exactly the same margin we held in the League Cup semi against Ipswich, which we converted into a final place in that competition.

The second leg of this event is a week on Sunday at Newcastle, and the Diamonds are sure to feel that it is not quite dead for them after taking a 5-1 advantage in the final race in which Steve Worrall and Ludvig Lindgren took a very easy 5-1 over the previously unbeaten Justin Sedgmen and Kevin Wolbert.

The Diamonds didn't enjoy much luck in tonight's match, firstly failing to come up with a PL guest replacement for Lewis Kerr and having to draft in Liam Carr (who was by no means off the pace), then suffering the loss of Matthew Wethers who lifted at the back in heat 2 and ran into Rob Branford's machine. Matthew has a shoulder injury and was ruled out of the match.

Monarchs had started with a 5-1 from Craig Cook and Justin Sedgmen over Worall, prior to the heat 2 incident in a heat awarded to Simon Nielsen.

Nevertheless after 7 heats Monarchs had only managed to stretch their lead to 25-17 and Newcastle might have been fairly happy at that stage. Ludvig Lindgren did well to pass Sam Masters in heat 7.

The next four races however made a huge difference. Sedgmen and Branford took 5 from heat 8, Wolbert and Riss did likewise in heat 9 after Lindgren had unsuccessfully tried to push Wolbert off his line, and fallen.

Cook and Sedgmen easily took a maximum from heat 10, and making it four in a row, Max Clegg did a great job to hold off Steve Worrall and back Sam Masters to the fourth successive 5-1 in heat 11. That made the score 45-21.

Wolbert won heat 12 but Branford was pushed back by Rosen after holding third for most of the heat. Then Craig Cook fell on the first corner of heat 13, but Sam Masters did well to win the rerun. This was the end of Cook's night and while he won two races, he didn't look his usual self after his virus problem.

Erik Riss had his best ride of the night to hold off Rosen in heat 14, so the lead was 26 going into the final race, but our pair in that were very slow off the grid and lost 4 of these points.

However we must be fairly confident even allowing for good recent form at home for the Diamonds.

THE NEXT CHALLENGE

After successfully qualifying for the League Cup Final on Thursday night, the Border Roofing Monarchs now move onto the Knock Out Cup and semi-final action against Newcastle at Armadale on Friday night. It looks like the weather will be on our side this evening.

The good news for Monarchs fans is that Craig Cook will return to the team this evening although not 100% fit. That will give the team a huge boost as we line up with our seven riders for only the second time since June.

Newcastle have had problems with their team. Tero Aarnio called off at reserve yesterday with a rib injury. In his place comes Matthew Wethers and that undoubtedly strengthens the Diamonds. However, on Wednesday night their proposed guest, Kenneth Hansen, crashed in Denmark and a back injury keeps him out of this meeting. Diaminds team manager, George English, has contacted every eligible rider, apparently available,in the Premier League and has not been able to secure the services of any one of the eighteen riders. Instead he truns to Liam Carr who will fill a place in the main body of the team.

Monarchs will hope for as big a win as possible to take to Newcastle on 13th September.

Tickets from last week's rained off match with Berwick are valid tonight. Season ticket holders are reminded that this match is not covered by their ticket and payment at their normal gate is required.