Table-topping Monarchs

REPORT Saturday 6th May 2017, 0:59am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Parsons Peebles Monarchs returned to the top of the Championship table by beating Workington 52-40 at Armadale tonight. They achieved this in front of by far the biggest crowd of the season so far.

Alex Harkess said “I was happy we took the early lead because we were never strong enough without Mark Riss to kill the match off, but equally I felt we were always in control.. I wish Josh Pickering could gate but full marks to him for getting through the match with his hand injury”.

It was believed to be a match fraught with danger for the West Lothian side because they were missing star reserve Mark Riss, and Josh Pickering was riding with broken fingers in his left hand.

However Monarchs took the lead early on with heat advantages in the first three races, and never let the Comets get within striking distance thereafter, though it was only a 5-1 in heat 13 that finally secured the match points.

Workington had their team problems as well with Craig Cook missing due to his Grand Prix qualifying round tomorrow, and although Steve Worrall should have been a good guest, he had problems after an early crash in heat one.

This was an odd incident in which both Sam Masters and Steve Worrall came down on the way to the first turn, having tangled together. Home captain Masters had a painful hand but soldiered on and scored a paid maximum from four rides, while Steve Worrall suffered machine problems and was forced to switch machines. He never got going after that.

Josh Pickering reported “a throbbing hand” after the meeting but he gritted his teeth and picked up five points, overcoming some truly shocking starts. Reserve guest Dany Gappmaier started by winning heat 2, always a big help, but then ran a couple of lasts before finishing with a second place in heat 14.

The big scoring was at heat leader level. Masters was the only unbeaten rider but Ricky Wells after taking a defeat from the flying Jorgensen in heat 4, reeled off four wins.

Erik Riss started strongly with a win and a paid win but then ran into some bike problems which are currently dogging his performances.

After a poor run Max Clegg’s performances are under scrutiny, and he definitely showed improvement in scoring 6+2. He had a good win in heat 5 as Monarchs extended their advantage.

Mitchell Davey took points off his opposite number so all things considered, the team display was quite acceptable. Had Mark Riss been riding no doubt the Comets could have been finished off earlier – though the presence of Cook would have had the opposite effect!

The stylish and spectacular Jorgensen was the best visitor, winning a couple of heats, and both Mason Campton and Ty Proctor would have gone home happily from a track they sometimes struggle on. But the best support for Jorgensen came from reserve Matt Williamson, a smart lad who is making good progress.

The best race was heat 10 when Campton and Worrall teamed up ahead of Ricky Wells. Ricky pushed between them, forced Worrall wide and then shot past Campton as well. Heat 12 was a good 4-lap battle between Riss and Proctor, and there was an enjoyable heat 13 as Wells led leaving Masters to do a bit of passing and repassing before subduing Jorgensen.

It was a good warm up for the visit of Glasgow next week – but that one will be tougher!

Full Result Details