Cookie Returns But Monarchs Win

A strange Peterborough team rolled up at Armadale tonight, and lost 59-33 – but we had the pleasure of seeing our old friend and Monarchs’ legend Craig Cook.

For sure Craig knew more of the opposition side than his own one. He didn’t gate well and only managed one race win in five outings, but not surprisingly in that victory he equalled the fastest time of the season, and that was while wheelying home!

The Border Roofing Monarchs managed to throw a few points away in the early stages, notably with Ryan Fisher locking up and bringing Sam Masters down in heat 6, but there was never any doubt about the outcome. Captain Sam and Kevin Wolbert seemed especially keyed up for the visit of Craig Cook, and both of them managed to head our former star twice each.

The Craig Cook style was there for everyone to see though, and the exciting way he set out to hunt down anyone ahead of him brought back many memories of his five-year spell with Monarchs.

Sam raced away with heat 1, with Craig back in third initially but passing Ryan Fisher on the opening lap. Craig had his win in heat 5 over the Riss brothers, then lost to a very determined Wolbert in heat 11 when Craig was on a TR. Wolbert made a sensational start and rode a very fast first couple of laps.

In heat 13, we had four Monarchs’ assets and multi-league winners, and again it was the home pair away in front. Craig flew round Kevin but could not catch Sam.

In the final heat Sam didn’t ride, feeling a bit of pain from his shoulder which he hurt in that tangle in heat 6. Kevin though repeated his earlier win over Cookie.

The other Panthers who were likely to provide opposition, Ostergaard and Wethers, have both had better nights at Armadale. Jye Etheridge won heat 3 which must have given him some pleasure but only added another couple of third places.

On the home side Sam Masters scored a four-ride maximum, and Kevin Wolbert 13. Both Riss brothers plundered points with Mark getting a heat 15 outing. Fisher did well other than his exclusion and Max Clegg scored paid 11 without too much difficulty.

Two third places were fair reward for Ryan Blacklock after a heat 2 first bend exclusion.

Not a great night’s speedway for various reasons, but at least we got to meet up with Craig Cook again.