Edinburgh Monarchs v Kings Lynn Stars

REPORT Friday 20th August 2010, 10:00pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The tie was already done and dusted prior to the second leg, but Monarchs did an efficient job of completing their qualification for the semi-final with an aggregate win of just under 50 points.

We were quickly in control in spite of a couple of early wobbles. Our powerhouse opening pair of Fisher and Wethers swept past Oliver Allen on the second turn of heat 1 and a 5-1 was never in doubt.

William Lawson quickly imposed his authority on heat 2, though Cal McDade comfortably beat the man who replaced him in our side, Arlo Bugeja, for the second spot.

Kalle Katajisto was away well enough in heat 3 but fell on the first corner, leaving Kevin Wolbert to romp home. Lasse Bjerre got round fine in his first Armadale ride, looking just like his elder brother.

Next Monarch to bite the dust was Andrew Tully when his front wheel came into contact with Topinka?s back one round the first turn. William Lawson actually sped through to lead but the heat was stopped. Andrew wasn?t happy but he was ruled out, and the Stars took a 4-2 in the rerun.

Oliver Allen took the win in heat 5 but it was interesting to see Kevin really chasing, making up ground and finishing right on Allen?s tail.

Fisher and Wethers were away in heat 6 and when Fisher closed the outside line gap sharply, Topinka?s wide challenge petered out.

Tully led home Bjerre in heat 7 with Bugeja taking the point from McBain (standing in for Smith). In fact Arlo got a decent start here but throttled back disappointingly down the back straight. Next there was a very easy 5-1 for Wethers and Lawson in heat 8.

Same again in the next two heats, Wolbert and Katajisto over Topinka, and Fisher / Wethers over Bjerre. The score was 41-19 and it was exhibition stuff.

Oliver Allen was easily the most likely visitor to win a heat, but he was well beaten by the flying Tully in heat 11. Alen concentrated on sitting with partner Roynon, but there was in any case no real challenge from Bugeja.

Wolbert won heat 12 but in spite of a good start, Lawson dropped behind Bjerre and was well back in third by the end.

Heat 13 was rather over-eventful. Allen and Topinka were away well the first time but Andrew caught Topinka off the second turn, then Fisher bundled under him going into the third bend. Topinka was just too slow, and he slid off into the fence, while at the same time Allan lost it and almost went into the pits.

Topinka was out of the rerun and this time Allen gated again but was passed immediately by the two Monarchs. Unfortunately Ryan went too fast into the third bend, gave Andrew nowhere to go and the result was Andrew down into the fence.

Ryan was out this time, and attempt three went to Allen in spite of a strong challenge from Tully.

Kalle won heat 14 easily with McDade again beating Bugeja with a bit to spare.

We saw the best of the resurgent Wolbert in the final heat as he raced after race leader Allen and swept under him on the pits corner. Great pass. Matthew chased all the way but could not get by, so his maximum was lost ? we had no unbeaten riders.

Full Result Details