INTO THE SEMI

NEWS Friday 6th July 2012, 11:02pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Well we beat the weather for a change, and the Scotwaste Monarchs also beat the Tigers in an entertaining contest by 52-38, to go through 98-82 on aggregate to meet Ipswich in the KO Cup semi-final.

The track obviously was damp but it also allowed the riders to race hard and try different lines, producing some good racing. The home heat leaders were frankly amazing, with just one point dropped between Cook, Tully and Pijper.

For Glasgow veterans Screen and Grieves were involved in some decent heats but have had better Armadale nights, leaving it to the young Aussies Grajczonek and Campton to hit double figures with good performances.

Campton can be especially happy to reach this level after half a season, winning two heats.

But the biggest stars were the home top trio. Cook – paid maximum, Tully – paid maximum, Pijper – one point lost. Craig Cook was totally dominant but the real eye-catcher this time was Tully who astonishingly won heat 4 off 15 metres, passing Campton and Grieves in great style after bursting through the tapes.

In heat 13, with Cook turning tight off gate one to go ahead, Tully this time came through the middle down the back straight to pass Screen and Grieves in a move best watched from behind your hands.

Derek Sneddon won the first heat, and Micky Dyer the second, but neither was at his best after that. It wasn't a great night for Matthew Wethers either, his most impressive ride being heat 9 when he rode Andrew Tully's bike (when his own and Micky Dyer's had died on him!)

Marcel Helfer didn't score, but nevertheless he impressed with his efforts. In heat 2 he nipped past both Tigers and held second until be almost ran into the back of Micky and fell. He struggled in heat 4 but in his last two rides, he looked impressive on a wider line. It was a decent debut.

Heading home the rain was pelting down again but we could smile about it this time, and reflect on a two-leg contest of good and sportingly contested matches.

Full Result Details