TWO WINS IN A WELL-PRESENTED DOUBLE HEADER

NEWS Friday 12th September 2014, 8:29pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs completed what was in many ways a memorable night by winning two matches, beating Redcar 59-37 and then Glasgow 65-29, and getting through all 30 races in 2 hours 50 minutes (including a 20 minute interval), well before the track curfew.

John Campbell said at the conclusion “I’d like to thank everyone, the riders from all three teams, the referee who did a magnificent job pushing the meeting on, the riders for rushing out for their races and our track staff.

"I hope many, or most, of you will return for another very important match tomorrow”.

The second match proved the easier of the two, with four of the home riders unbeaten headed by a full 15-point maximum from Max Fricke. Others unbeaten by the opposition were Craig Cook, Sam Masters and Justin Sedgmen (who only dropped one point all night).

Another notable fact is a mere four last places by the Monarchs all night – and that includes one each for Craig Cook and Sam Masters!

There was nevertheless some good racing during the big win over Glasgow, none better than the heat 7 battle between Sam Masters and Kevin Wolbert. Wolbert was well clear at one stage but Masters reeled him in, then the pair swapped places before Sam clinched the three points. That was Kevin’s TR ride.

Other fine rides were Max's victory from the back over Pijper and Palovaara in heat 5, and a great ride from the back by Justin Sedgmen in heat 8.

Theo Pijper was often in the thick of things, as was Tigers’ feisty reserve Kasper Lykke. Their only race winner was guest Jan Graversen in heat 2, but he didn’t add any more points.

Tigers had been hit by the withdrawal of Rusty Harrison and used rider replacement, which contributed 8 points.

The first part of the double header had been completed in around 75 minutes. It might have been even quicker but for a stoppage in heat 2 and a couple of later heats being pulled back.

It was comfortable enough especially as Monarchs led 19-5 after four races, but the Bears’ top two of Richard Lawson and Aaron Summers really raised their game as the match went on. They both won tactical rides and they pulled off a real shock result when they took a 5-1 in heat 13.

The remaining Bears chipped in when they could with Carl Wilkinson and Jan Graversen having their moments.

Monarchs were as solid as ever with Justin Sedgmen dropping just one point to Summers in the final race. Cook and Masters seemed to be cruising till that heat 13, with Sam also touching the tapes in heat 15.

Max Fricke had another solid double figure score with good backup from partner Worrall, while Monarchs’ reserves were lively and involved in some of the best races.

As last week heat 8 was a standout with Sedgmen passing Graversen, and Sneddon passing Lemon, to reverse the position from the gate. Derek also had a good tussle with Graversen in heat 12.

Saturday's fixture v Newcastle starts at 7pm with gates open at 5:45 to allow fans to watch the Grand Prix on the stadium TVs.