UNBEATEN RUN ENDS AT THE SHOWGROUND

The Scotwaste Monarchs' incredible unbeaten run is over, and we could have no complaints as we lost 43-50 to a strong, fast and fired-up Peterborough Panthers team.

We did start well with a smooth 5-1 from Craig Cook and Justin Sedgmen, but from then on we struggled to contain a very good Panthers' team.

We might have at least shared heat two, but Derek Sneddon couldn't pull off an outside overtake on Jacobs while Aaron Fox lost third to Barrett late in the race.

We also lost a late point in heat three as Dryml just nipped past Max Fricke for third on the run to the line.

That levelled the scores and we went behind in heat four when Sam Masters had to fight his way past guest Aaron Summers for second place behind key reserve Barrett.

The next three heats were all shared. Craig had to work hard to subdue Ostergaard for third in heat 5 with Dryml winning, then Sam made his best gate of the day to win heat six in which Aaron pushed Barrett very hard.

Summers raced away with heat seven while Max and Stevie filled the minor places, and we were needing more race wins.

The next two heats were killers for us. Derek tried desperately to hang on to second behind Blackbird in heat eight before succumbing to Barrett , then Sam edged ahead in heat nine but found Dryml and Ostergaard surging past.

Now we were ten down and using a TR for the first time in 2014! Max went in black and white but sadly, touched the tapes.

Stevie won a great battle with Blackbird for second and Max closed right up but could not get through. So now we were able to use a second TR! This time it was Craig in heat 11.

He rode a wonderful race to catch and pass the faster starting Summers, but Justin was stuck at the back.

Heat twelve showed how hard we were still fighting. Max raced to the front down the back straight, while Derek put in a titanic effort and almost went round Dryml.

We were 34-41 down now and certainly weren't giving up. Craig again pulled off a great move to go ahead in heat 13, using the difficult but fast outside line, but Sam trying the same thing nearly pulled it off but had to take avoiding action to mss Summers' back wheel.

There had been thunder and lightning all around, but now the rain had started. Stevie lost out in a passing battle with Ostergaard in heat 14, and the Panthers' captain had also put Derek right out of the heat by taking him wide on the first bend.

So now we were nine down and needing a 5-1 for a point.

The rules state that only the losing team can request a track inspection, which we did NOT, however it was announced that the referee had been called down for an inspection. By the time he had been sent back, the track was five minutes wetter.

Dryml made a rocket start in heat 15, but even in the treacherous conditions Craig Cook went into the dirt to pull off another amazing overtake. Sam saw off Ostergaard who pulled out, but it wasn't quite enough for the point.

Cook had had a magnificent match, most of the others perhaps were not quite at their best, but they deserve our congratulations for what they have done up to now. The pressure of winning every time will be slightly less but we still have everything to go for and a team to be proud of.

PANTHERS PROVIDE NEXT CHALLENGE

It's a better day on Sunday as the Scotwaste Monarchs travel to the East of England Showground for a Premier League match against Peterborough.

The Scotwaste Monarchs will be at full strength but the Panthers will be short of two of their regular team with Ryan Fisher out for the season due to injury and Lasse Bjerre not returning in time from the World Under 21 Grand Prix in Italy last night. Rider replacement will cover for Ryan, with every rider eligible for an extra ride, and Aaron Summers guesting for Bjerre.

Peterborough has not been a regular visiting place for us in the last few years although we did very well there last year in the Fours. The Panthers do have the flying Lewis Blackbird in their team but the outcome of the match could depend on the form of Ales Dryml on his return from a back injury.

The meeting gets underway at 5.00pm.