FIVE POINT DEFEAT IN THE WEST

NEWS Sunday 30th April 2006, 7:30pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs fought back after a slow start to put up a decent showing at Ashfield.

For the first 7 races the match was flat and our performance insipid. We hadn't had a race winner and trailed by 16-26.

The TR option for Theo Pijper in heat 8 was the obvious move, and with Derek Sneddon clicking into gear we gained an 8-1, albeit with assistance from what seemed a harsh exclusion for David McAllan.

At that point the score of 27-24 in Tigers' favour seriously flattered us, but from then on we raised our game and pushed the Tigers hard.

A 5-1 in heat 12 took us to one point down, Rusty Harrison (who rode well) grabbed a second place from the back in heat 13, and we were unfortunate to have heat 14 stopped when we had made the start.

We had a theoretical chance going into the final race at just three down, but the Tigers made the start. Even then we got something out of it as Theo took a fine second from the back on the last corner.

The aggregate bonus point will be hotly contested on Friday

Full Result Details