RECORD BREAKING WIN TAKES US TO SEMIS

NEWS Friday 18th April 2014, 11:12pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs won their seventh successive match to set a new start-of-season club record, which means they have qualified for the League Cup semi-finals as section winners. Glasgow made a match of it and heats 13 and 15 were two of the best heats of the season, both won by the amazing Craig Cook.

In heat 13 unbeaten Tigers’ no. 1 Kevin Wolbert had established an early lead, but on lap two Cook went for an outside run and squeezed through a tiny space between Wolbert and the fence.

In the final race, it did look as though Cook had little chance as he was well back in third spot while partner Justin Sedgmen pressed race leader Theo Pijper. But Cook came through late in the race to challenge, and with a superb drive into the first corner of the last lap he forced his way to the front for another brilliant win.

Alex Harkess said “We weren’t at our best in the early stages but we came good in the end as we often do, and these two late wins by Craig Cook sent the crowd home happy.”

Even though the Glasgow team was weakened by the absence of their Danish reserves, they were only 20-16 behind after 6 races, and had had 4 race winners at that stage. Both Kevin Wolbert and Theo Pijper were displaying their Armadale expertise and Mark Lemon also had a win from the back.

However Sam Masters and Justin Sedgmen took 5 from heat 7, followed by the same from Steve Worrall and Aaron Fox in heat 8, and Monarchs were on their way. Theo Pijper did manage a 6-point TR from heat 9, and Wolbert won heat 11, but other than that Monarchs dominated the closing stages.

Monarchs’ scoring was extremely solid, and the happiest man may have been Fox who was improving with every ride.

But once again it will be Craig Cook whose brilliant racing will be remembered most from this match.

Monarchs are section winners but of course they will be keen to extend their winning run on Sunday at Glasgow in our final League Cup section match. With the Danish reserves back in harness, it could be the toughest match yet.