Pickering Outstanding As Monarchs Bow Out

REPORT Friday 20th September 2024, 9:42pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Josh Pickering gave the Stellar Monarchs a parting present racing to an exhilarating 15 point maximum albeit in a losing effort as the Armadale men went down 48-42 at Scunthorpe on Friday night bowing out of the BSN Series semi final by 15 points on aggregate albeit the result may well be reviewed given Drew Kemp's ineligibility to guest.

Pickering was in outrageous form coming from the back in four of his five rides with passes both inside and out saying after, "For me my goal was to go out making a statement, everyone knows I am dropping this league and for a reason to focus and progress even more so to end on a full 15 and go out on a good note I can't be unhappy personally.

"A lot of what ifs this season and unfortunately there were too many nights we haven't performed as a full 1-7 and the damage was done in the first leg at home."

As Pickering mentioned the Monarchs came into this one with a thin chance in regards to the overall tie as the Scorpions took a nine point advantage into heat one.

A decent start by the Monarchs saw them two up after three heats before the home men took control reeling off four maximums in a spell of five heats.

This meant the tie and probably the result on the night were all but decided as it was a 14 point home lead but the Monarchs heads would not fall and there was some thrilling action still to come.

Guest Dan Thompson took a hard fought win in heat nine holding off everything home pair Jake Allen and Simon Lambert could throw at him, Pickering coming from third to first to keep his unbeaten run going in heat 11 and Lasse Fredriksen springing to life taking wins in heats 10 and 12.

Heat 13 was probably the race of the night as the Scorpions gated best, Pickering would not be denied quickly rounding Kyle Howarth before diving under Luke Harrison on the last bend to take the win. Thompson and Howarth passing and re-passing for third also.

So, by heat 15 all that was left was to see if Pickering could complete his maximum and the Aussie promptly delivered hitting the front at the end of the first lap and greatly receiving the bumps from his teammates as he brings the curtain down on a 8-year association with the club, all saying it is a case of see you later rather than goodbye.

That is it for the Monarchs Championship campaign as it will be Scunthorpe that take on Poole in the final.

Full Result Details