LEAGUE CUP SEMI IN THE BALANCE

NEWS Friday 5th July 2013, 11:38pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs squeezed a six-point advantage from the first leg of the League Cup semi-final against Ipswich at Armadale, leaving the tie well balanced for the second leg on 25th July.

It was expected to be a hard night and it was, with Ipswich proving very tough nuts indeed, taking 7 heat wins (three for their brilliant reserve Adam Ellis) and pulling back to 36-36 after 12 heats.

Then regrettably Ben Barker suffered injury in heat 13, which undoubtedly gave Monarchs a chance to build that lead. We wish Ben a speedy recovery.

He had been involved in a thrilling opening lap of the race, coming up the inside of Craig Cook off the first corner, only for Craig to roar back into the lead entering lap two. Ben tried to respond but went too wide on the pits bend and clattered the fence.

Monarchs were able to take a 5-1 in the rerun, and a 4-2 in the last race, with Morten Risager winning heat 14.

Ellis, Risager and Barker were dogged opponents and Ipswich will probably be happy with the score, even though they might have done even better.

It was a grippier track tonight though passing was still difficult, and some of the home side didn't seem to be at their best. We know, however, how well Monarchs can ride away from Armadale.

Craig Cook ran a surprise last in heat 1 but was invincible after that. Everyone else won at least one heat, other than young guest James Sarjeant, but no-one was consistently reliable.

Cook in fact broke the track record in heat 10, the new time being 53.5, 0.2 lower than Rory Schlein's time from last August. "I'm going to wind Schleiny up about that!" Craig said.

Monarchs now return to Premier League business, head for Glasgow on Sunday and welcome the Tigers to Armadale next Friday.

Full Result Details