Title Partner
It all ended well in spite of Jason Crump's absence as the Scotwaste Monarchs grabbed a 2-point win over Wolves with Theo Pijper and William Lawson prominent.
The sun shone and there was a good crowd there to see a lineup that included more stars than a normal Friday night in West Lothian.
The first heat suggested that Wolves might have just too many stars as David Howe and Magnus Karlsson romped away for an easy 5-1.
Monarchs did look to be stronger at reserve, and there were no problems for Wethers and Tully in levelling the scores.
Heat 3 was a good one. On his first Armadale ride of the season, Pijper flew from the start to lead Grieves, who came under pressure from Lawson. Lawson's dives into the turns eventually brought him past Grieves for an excellent 5-1.
GP star Freddie Lindgren, who remembered making his UK debut at Armadale in 2001, won his opening heat easily, and then we had the heat 5 clash of two pairs who had opened with maximum advantages.
The Wolves proved the stronger though Lawson did well to pass Karlsson and limit the damage.
Sneddon had a tough first lap in heat 6, squeezed against the fence by partner Nermark on the back straight, then putting too much into his effort to get round Wilkinson and falling on the first bend of lap two.
So the scores were now level. Tully slid off on the first bend of heat 7 but remounted just as Kerr lost control spectacularly, bucking and spinning before coming off. Excluded? No, the Wolves had been on the wrong gates so everyone was allowed back.
Now Grieves got something of a flier with Kerr away well also. Remarkably it was Tully who sorted things out, passing Kerr and holding him wide as Parker came through in support.
Magnus Karlsson was successful in heat 8, usually dominated by our Wethers/Sneddon pair.
Scores were level but we pulled off a big surprise in heat 9. William Lawson shot off the inside of the second bend and got ahead of Lindgren down the back straight, and as the Swede moved out to try to come back, Pijper passed him as well! The 5-1 was completed with some ease.
Grieves won heat 10 but Nermark and Sneddon kept Kerr at the back again.
Howe took his third win in heat 11 and for a while it looked like a 5-1, but Parker worked hard to prevent it. Karlsson was riding wide on the faster line, but Monarchs' guest held in tight and managed to make up the ground for a good second spot.
Pijper and Grieves raced close and hard for most of heat 12 with the home man winning narrowly, and Matthew's third took as four points clear again.
That was wiped out in heat 13 as Howe and Lindgren rode side by side, well clear of Parker and Nermark.
We needed an advantage from heat 14, and we got it, though Kerr did wake up and give Lawson a good run for it.
Two points ahead then, but Howe and Lindgren to be faced. We tracked Pijper and Lawson. On a night when one or two riders got away with fliers at the gate, Theo chose a good time to get his, racing away from the tapes.
He had to work hard to prevent David Howe passing as the Wolves' no. 1 got within a foot or so by the finish, but Theo had clinched the win. He would no doubt be satisfied to have shown Chris Van Straaten what he is capable of.
HERMISTON MONARCH OF THE MATCH: Theo Pijper.
Life hasn't exactly been dull down Armadale way this week in the lead up to Monarchs' clash with Elite League side Wolverhampton Wolves.
You know what they say about the best laid plans? Well, that was certainly the thought which immediately sprang to mind as I saw Jason Crump lying pole axed in his Swedish pit during last weekend's Grand Prix.
So, once the World Champion was forced to admit defeat, the focus turned to fellow Aussie Leigh Adams. Sadly he, together with his 357 mechanics and helpers, declined the invitation and we were left in a bit of a hole!
The end result, for me anyway (and I'm probably in the minority here) is a far better, much more balanced looking, fixture. There are no guys who immediately spring to mind as being in a class of their own (although Fredrik Lindgren fans may disagree!) and, as well as improving the racing spectacle, should mean the circus surrounding any one individual is phased down to something approaching normality.
Looking at the visitors first, they are led by 2005 Scottish Open Champion David Howe. David has been in superb form this year and will be looking forward to the British Final next Monday, with the aim of securing a wild card slot in the Cardiff GP at the end of the month.
And while Jason Crump, etc, were falling like flies in Sweden last weekend, Fredrik Lindgren wasn't complaining, his third place finish underlining his credentials (I still don't think he'll break our track record though!).
Despite the fact Wolves have left their real 'top liners' at home (they had to give us half a chance!), the one thing their line-up isn't short of is familiar names. Certainly Magnus Karlsson won't need a second introduction, as he is one of the club Legends who helped bring the Premier League trophy our way back in glorious 2003. Magnus has been a bit up and down in the big league but still knows the fastest way around Armadale.
Redcar fans will be interested to note there are three of their riders competing in this one, namely James Grieves, Chris Kerr and Arlo Bugeja. Grieves is, of course, always welcome at the Lothian Arena (ahem!) and teamed up with Gary Havelock to secure both a last heat victory for the Bears on their Premier Trophy visit and a full maximum for himself. Kerr has just recently returned following a rather nasty sounding eye injury and is a pleasure watch nowadays (far more impressive than his earlier tearaway days!).
Bugeja is not exactly new to these shores, as he has competed in many second half races at various venues throughout the country. He's now been given his chance, thanks in part to a combination of an Italian passport and the resulting low(ish!) starting average.
Wolves are completed by robust Newcastle man, Carl Wilkinson. His start to the season was pretty dreadful to say the least but, typically, he rode well and scored plenty when we headed to Brough Park!
As well as trying to arrange riders for this meeting, the Monarchs have also been busy making necessary adjustments to their side. Gone (although not for this week!) is William Lawson, replaced by last year's skipper, Theo Pijper. The Dutchman is still the track record holder and will no doubt be looking to see if he can improve that in the coming weeks.
We are also able to welcome back another former home man... Daniel Nermark rode here regularly in 2005 and covers for the absent Ronnie Correy on this occasion. Fans of Daniel will no doubt be delighted with this news and can look forward to a double helping of his 'entertainment' as his present side Kings Lynn are in town next week.
The final 'unfamiliar' (?!) face on show in our team this week is Glasgow hero Shane Parker. I've filed Mr. Parker firmly in the 'class act' bracket ever since his outstanding guest appearance for us at Berwick in 2003 - what a performance that was!
As always, may the best team win...
Line-ups:
Monarchs: Daniel Nermark, Derek Sneddon, Theo Pijper, William Lawson, Shane Parker, Andrew Tully, Matthew Wethers.
Wolves: David Howe, Magnus Karlsson, James Grieves, Chris Kerr, Fredrik Lindgren, Carl Wilkinson, Arlo Bugeja.
PS Happy New Month to everyone!
Friday 1st June 2007, 0:50am
The Scotwaste Monarchs grabbed a 46-44 win over the Wolves Select on a sunny evening with several heats to remember - and a last heat decider win for the returning Theo Pijper.
Tuesday 29th May 2007, 9:00am
The Scotwaste Monarchs have made a team change with immediate effect, and last year's team captain Theo Pijper returns to the side. William Lawson will now move full time into the Wolverhampton team.
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