MONARCHS WIN A THRILLER

NEWS Friday 1st April 2011, 11:32pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

A great pass on the last bend of heat 15 by a rejuvenated Kevin Wolbert snatched a two-point win over Glasgow in as hard-fought a Scottish derby as we have seen for years.

It might have been Glasgow's first meeting of the season but they lived up to their supporters' expectations, with Joe Screen outstanding, and good contributions from most of their side.

Therefore Monarchs did very well to take a 10-point advantage in mid-meeting with some determined racing, Wethers, Wolbert, Tully and Cook to the fore.

We took 5-1s in heats 3, 6 and 9, all of these involving some exciting, determined overtaking. The pass of the night though was Kevin's in heat 10, when he powered past James Grieves who was on a TR.

Kalle Katajisto didn't have a good night but the reasons were mechanical. He conceded the two 5-1s Glasgow scored but promises there is better to come.

It was his engine which helped transform Kevin's display, which of course culminated in a terrific never-say-die chase in heat 15. Tigers had come back from an 8-point deficit with three races left, taking two 4-2s and holding a match-saving 5-1 in the last heat ? until Wolbert pulled off that miraculous last bend inside pass on James Grieves.

We haven't seen anything better from our German star since his early days with us in 2009.

Our two reserves suffered heavy crashes. There was a long delay for treatment to Jay Herne in heat 8, but the good news is that the only damage is concussion and he is expected to be released on Saturday morning. It was a heavy knock though and he will not be riding again this weekend.

Ashley suddenly clipped the fence in heat 14 and fell awkwardly on to the centre green. He was on the parade truck and seemed to be fine after the match.

Excellent speedway though in front of a big crowd ? just what we wanted.

Full Result Details