Image Credit: Ron MacNeill

FINE SHOW IN THE NEWPORT MUD

NEWS Saturday 29th October 2011, 8:24pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Conditions were dreadful at Newport tonight but the Scotwaste Monarchs put on a great show with nine race winners, though we again finished pointless in a 51-42 defeat.

Had we gained a point, it would have been deserved, but man of the meeting Kevin Wolbert was outgated in the final race by top home men Gjedde and Lanham and could not pass them.

Earlier he had passed the same duo in heat 13, pulling off an amazing move to go between them down the back straight. He also won heat one from the back against Aspegren.

This kind of riding in the Welsh mud was exceptional, and we also saw some brilliant racing from Andrew Tully and Adam Roynon. In all honesty the home side had no-one as bold as our three stars, but they were a more solid side.

Again we missed Cook, and neither Matthew Wethers nor Kalle Katajisto were able to give much backing.

Matthew looks well and truly battered after his recent injuries, and was hurt again today when he shed a chain in heat 10 while ahead of Gjedde.

Whereas at Plymouth we had been poor against a moderate Devils team, tonight we did very well against a much better Wasps side and made It a good match in dire conditions.