Astonishing last gasp win in a thriller

REPORT Friday 10th May 2024, 10:55pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

It had been billed in the run up as a 'titanic tussle against the Tigers' and boy it did not disappoint as the Stellar Monarchs edged out the home men in a match that literally went to the last yard of an added on 'Super Heat' that was needed to seperate the sides.

A nip and tuck battle with almost too much action to describe could not see a clear winner after the 15 programmed races so it was off to a run off to decide who took the majority of the spoils.

The protagonist's were Josh Pickering and Justin Sedgmen for the Monarchs with home top pair Chris Harris and Steve Worrall the opposition.

The same quintet having already served up two outrageous races in both heats 13 and 15 saved perhaps the best till last.

Worrall was away best and whether by design or chance he then proceeded to hold up the three faster men behind him.

Sedgmen and Pickering were in the crucial second and third spots which would be enough to take the win on the night but with Harris buzzing about behind then no one was comfortable, at times it looked like Sedgmen was going to get the run on Worrall while at the back Harris was biding his time.

The former world number six moving to the outside and going for an almighty blast at the end that many thought had seen him into third place on the line.

It wasn't enough though as the Monarchs were adjudged to have held on to send the team, fans and management into delirium.

A delighted Monarchs captain Paco Castagna saying once the dust had settled, 'All we talked about during the last month was shown tonight, I was impressed by our performance not in any way shocked but we showed what we were capable off.

'I wasn't happy with my own performance but I had one of my worst meetings of the year and we still won so that shows it's a team effort and the boys all did well.'

The action was electric right from the first heat as Pickering once again in exhilarating form stormed past Harris to take the win.

The Tigers would then try and put their stamp on matters with a maximum heat advantage in heat two followed by 4-2 advantages in the next two so with four heats gone it was a six point home lead.

Even this early in the season the Monarchs have shown they have a spine to them and the comeback would start in heat five with a Pickering and Lasse Fredriksen heat maximum, the latter having his best meeting of the season also.

Heat eight would see the visitors take the lead once again as Fredriksen and Connor Coles rocketed from the start, Coles holding off everything home man Paul Starke would throw at him to hold on.

Heat 12 and the scores were tied again with a home 4-2 and the stage was set for the drama to come.

Pickering who raced through his rides unbeaten to record a 15 point maximum alongside a new track record passing and re-passing with Harris to take the checkered flag in heat 13, with Sedgmen third meaning the Armadale men nipped ahead once again.

The penultimate race was another cracker as a blanket could have been thrown over the front three throughout. Home men James Pearson and Jack Smith finishing either side of Castagna to tie it going into heat 15.

Pickering and Harris will be seeing each other in their sleep tonight as once again they put on a breathtaking show the Monarch just taking it on the line.

So, the stage was set for the drama of the 'Super Heat' and in the end it's two points for the Stellar Monarchs that now means a home victory by any margin when the sides meet again at Armadale at the end of the month will see them through to the semi final of the BSN Series.

Glasgow 45 : Harris 11, Starke 2+1, Flint 6+1, Pearson 8, Worrall 9+1, Smith 5+1, Pijper 4+1

Stellar Monarchs 45 : Pickering 15, Fredriksen 6+1, Thomson 7+1, Castagna 5+1, Sedgmen 9, James 0, Coles 3+1

Monarchs win Super Heat 5-4

Full Result Details