THREE ON SONG ON TYNESIDE

NEWS Sunday 15th April 2012, 8:54pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs went down 57-38 at Newcastle tonight and were indebted to Theo Pijper, Craig Cook and Derek Sneddon for the majority of their points.

The team was built for solidity and that is still the aim, but at the moment there are too many riders not riding to their average.

Concentrating on the positive, there were some exciting heats during a well-run meeting, the highlight being Theo Pijper's last bend pass on Stuart Robson in heat 7 while on his TR, bringing us 6 points. That was a classic heat with Theo hugging the inside and Robbo out wide.

Derek Sneddon got us off to an excellent start with a win in heat 1, and later on in heat 8 he surprised Richie Worrall with a fine outside pass.

Craig Cook rode well again but never really established himself in front in any of his races until heat 15, which he led all the way.

Andrew Tully seemed to be riding well enough but as in earlier away matches, he is handicapping himself with some very poor gating. Matthew Wethers unfortunately struggled badly again and our reserves were out-gunned.

All of the Newcastle riders won at least one race and they are developing into what we want to be - a very solid side. They are certainly in the hunt for a qualifying place.

The track too was good with inside and outside overtakes possible.

We look forward to Friday and a big effort from everyone with the section-leading Workington Comets coming to Armadale.