REBELS REBUFFED AND SUCCESS FOR SAM

NEWS Friday 21st August 2015, 11:58pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

It was a good night at Armadale as the Border Roofing Monarchs defeated Somerset Rebels, thereby winning the Premier Shield, and the returning Sam Masters scored 8+2 and took five rides, thus returning the team to their chosen 1 to 7 as we move towards the serious end of the season.

Alex Harkess said "I felt the team were really up for this match tonight, they knew it was important, and doing well in the early heats really put us in charge."

Somerset were expected to provide a strong challenge and push hard for revenge after Monarchs beat them on their own track last week. It never quite materialised, with the home team taking two early 5-1s and then nullifying the Tactical Ride in heat 7. Thereafter it was relatively comfortable for Monarchs with the additional worry of a back injury for Somerset’s Josh Grajczonek.

The TR was given to Richie Worrall and it seemed a sensible choice by Somerset’s Garry May, as it was only the second ride for Sam Masters on his return after a six week absence. However not only did Sam win the race, but also Max Clegg cleverly cut up the inside as the others sorted themselves out after the first corner, holding Worrall off for a home 5-1 to extend the lead.

This earned Max the weekly Gibsons and Mazarelli Monarch of the Match award, even though Craig Cook scored a faultless 15 point maximum. Cook is something of a mentor for Clegg so he won’t be concerned!

Cook was headed from the tapes twice, but passed Josh Grajczonek (heat 6) and Richie Worrall (heat 15) with confident inside moves.

Cook and Masters teamed up for a 5-1 in heat 13 which confirmed that the Aussie is back in business, indeed all of the home team will be happy with their night. Kevin Wolbert scored 10, Justin Sedgmen and Sam Masters 8+2, and both reserves Max Clegg and Rob Branford scored 5 with spirited performances.

Sam Masters was delighted to be back, and said "I was a bit nervous before my first ride, I wasn't sure how my wrist would hold up, but after that I was fine."

In contrast it was a disappointing night for the Rebels for whom no-one reached double figures. As in last year’s Championship Final, the unforgettably dramatic conclusion to the 2014 campaign, reserve Paul Starke was their top scorer, this time with 9.

Richie Worrall came good late on scoring 8 and new man Rasmus Jensen contributed 7.

Their captain Josh Grajczonek had 5 points from his first two rides and was having a good tussle with Kevin Wolbert in heat 9 when he came down, apparently with a lost chain problem. He injured his back and didn’t ride in his final programmed heat, so news is awaited on how he is. It will be a disaster for the Rebels if Josh can’t ride at Berwick tomorrow and Glasgow on Sunday (where Jensen will also be missing).

The talented teenager Brady Kurtz improved on his Armadale showing last year, and had a race win over Wolbert in heat 5, but he has still to fully master the smaller circuits as opposed to the big fast tracks where he is exceptionally effective.

The victory gives Monarchs an excellent chance of finishing at the top of the Premier League prior to the Playoffs. They have one home and one away match left.

They also won the Premier Shield on a 106-77 aggregate. This would normally be contested between the League and Cup winners of 2014, but as Edinburgh won both Somerset were included as both Championship runners-up of 2014 and the last Shield winners.

Full Result Details