Berwick Bandits v Edinburgh Monarchs

This match developed from a very close one for the first seven heats, to a reasonably comfortable away win in the end, hinging on a heat 8 5-1 which didn’t look a likely result based on what had gone before.

We remember from last season how good we were at pulling out surprise results when required, and that’s just what happened here. Justin Sedgmen gated from gate 4, Rob Branford slotted in behind him and held off Kevin Doolan for all four laps. That was the strongest Bandits’ r/r nullified and a big step towards the result we were looking for.

We went from 2 down to 2 up and it was then handed over to the heat leaders to complete the job. Over heats 9 to 13 we had four of the five race wins, and only one of the last places, with the heat 13 5-1 giving us a 10-point lead.

We lost a heat 14 5-1 but got it back in the last race to secure four points.

Craig Cook had the ride of the night in heat 5, passing Jorgensen and Doolan on successive laps. He won all his races by a long way and set the fastest time of the season twice.

Sam Masters backed up superbly with paid 14 and joined Cookie for the two late 5-1s. Gating was the key for Sam rather than speed but he rode with great coolness as ever.

Rob Branford had a great match with paid 11 and picked up a lot of the vital minor placings.

Kevin Wolbert had a solid 9 points and looks back

to something like his best, Sedgy recovered from a poor start on a track he confesses he isn’t keen on, Max Clegg took two important thirds and Erik Riss finished his three rides not far off the pace.