BANDITS SUBDUED – EVENTUALLY

NEWS Friday 26th April 2013, 11:37pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

In spite of the worst weather of the season, the Scotwaste Monarchs fought out an interesting match with Berwick tonight before coming out on top by 55-37. This puts Monarchs top of the northern League Cup section.

Alex Harkess said “It was a tough match on a slippery track, and we were making mistakes early on, but we showed our mettle towards the end”.

At heat 7 there were just two points in it, and Monarchs were helped by a favourable refereeing decision in heat 8 when Derek Sneddon came down with David Bellego (unbeaten in his previous two heats) ruled the guilty party. Some thought this harsh in the flying Frenchman, indeed the Monarchs’ captain said afterwards that he had expected all four riders back for the rerun.

Monarchs took advantage with a 5-1 in the rerun, and followed it up with another two to stretch into a big lead.

There was plenty to enjoy with Bandits’ Bellego, Aspegren, Smith and Wethers providing decent opposition. After an unexpected loss (to Bellego) in heat 1, Craig Cook was unbeaten, and Theo Pijper also lost only to Bellego.

Claus Vissing did concede a 5-1 in heat 7 but he had two important wins, including one over the second Berwick TR Aspegren.

Jozsef Tabaka looked unbeatable until he hit clutch problems, but the man chosen as DDS Monarch of the Match was Max Fricke who had his best match so far. His highlight was heat 9 when he made a good start and headed top Bandit Robin Aspegren. The Swede did catch him on the last lap, only for Max to pull off a great cutback, grabbing second behind his partner Pijper on the final bend.

Monarchs believe it is the sign of things to come from the 17 year old Aussie Under-21 champion.

The team have a week off now before the visit of league champions Scunthorpe to Armadale.