Tigers take the title

NEWS Friday 1st September 2023, 10:04pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Glasgow were deserved winners of tonight's Championship Pairs, displaying good team tactics in come through the semi-final against Oxford and the final against title holders Redcar. The cunning racing of Chris Harris was the key factor as he ensured that an opposition rider came last in these heats – and that is what counts.

The pairing for the Stellar Monarchs was not what was originally intended of course and inexperienced Luke Killeen joined Josh Pickering. Starting with a 2-7 against home team Oxford left us with far too much to do and we were never close to qualifying for the semis. Team manager for the night Dave Harley didn't really have a card to play.

Josh did do some overtaking as he usually does, and he won his third heat heading home the Berwick pair, finishing with 12 points on the 4-3-2-0 scoring. To be fair though one of the night's highlights was a sensational win for young Max Perry (guesting for Plymouth) as he defeated our pair with a great burst off the second bend, earning him a congratulatory handshake from Josh.

Track conditions were decidedly tricky early on and some riders were unhappy, but it did seem to improve as the meeting went on. Getting on the outside of the first corner was certainly important though in the semi-finals and final, of course the key thing is not coming last.

Oxford and Redcar did provide the last placed man in their clashes with the Tigers, which is why our Scottish rivals came out on top.