WE ARE IN THE KO CUP FINAL

NEWS Sunday 13th September 2015, 9:09pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

After a lot of hard work the Border Roofing Monarchs made it through to the Knockout Cup Final by 93-87 on aggregate against a very tenacious Newcastle team who beat us 53-37 on the night.

You could say we always had it in hand, because we were always just ahead of schedule, but progressing towards a target of 35 often in steps of 2 per heat is not good for the nerves.

Newcastle must have several wishes tonight, that they still had both Worrall brothers (sensational tonight), that they could have had two PL guests for the whole of the first leg, and maybe that their season was just beginning. Their home form has certainly been impressive recently.

After a poor outing last night Justin Sedgmen had a lot to do with keeping us steady. After a second in heat one, he won a controversial heat five and then also heat eight. Good work Sedgy.

For his partner Cookie it was a funny night. He gated at he back in the first one and passed Nielsen, then sat behind his partner until the heat was eventually stopped when the Diamonds' second string fell.

The saga of heat five is too dull to list in detail, two stoppages which may or may not have been justified, two warnings, then a request to all four to stay still and finally a two minute exclusion for Craig who was taking a second or two to get ready. Pretty harsh, just so we'd know Jim McGregor was there.

Craig went off 15 metres and as usual put on a show, racing round the fence which must have been hard to see in the mud, passing Rosen, hitting the fence and dropping to the back again before regaining third! Phew!

Then he won heat 11 even though he slowed up dramatically over the last lap, before finishing with a second in heat 13, another exciting (almost too exciting) wide chase. We didn't require him for heat 15.

Sam started with a win over Lindgren, which isn't easy, then a couple of seconds but two lasts in 13 and 15. He just has to keep riding himself back to his best.

Kevin Wolbert was steady with four second places. He actually gated in heat three, almost lost control and dropped to third, the regained second. But his contribution was important.

Erik found things tough thanks to terrible gating, though in each of his first three rides he was gaining ground by the finish. Finally he made a start and got a good win in heat 14 to make absolutely sure we were through.And surely Tero Aarnio, with seven previous outings including a tape touch, should not have been allowed in this race?

It was a hard night too for the reserves though Rob Branford took a good point from Nielsen in heat 4.

Although they must have been disappointed we had as always sporting comments from George English, Barry Wallace and presenter Roy Clarke. They should be proud of their team and we will need to pick things up a wee bit over the next few weeks.

Full Result Details