The full 15 means the bumps for Erik Image Credit: Ron MacNeill

Big win over Bandits

NEWS Saturday 15th April 2017, 1:10am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

All three of Monarchs’ heat leaders rode unbeaten as the Parsons Peebles Monarchs easily maintained their unbeaten record for the season with a 57-33 victory over Berwick.

Alex Harkess said “Our heat leaders were really strong with a full 15 for Erik Riss and another high class performance from Ricky. He is remarkable. I was encouraged by a spirited last ride from Max Clegg too.”

It was the coldest night of the season, and the track was not easy after heavy rain during the day. Berwick never looked likely to break their league victory duck for the season (they didn't enjoy much luck), and yet the match was not without interest.

Monarchs took 14 of the 15 heat winners, the one that got away being a victory for Gappmaier in heat 14. This was one of the most interesting heats as Max Clegg made a big effort to pull off an outside overtake, riding almost the whole race in the deep outside line before missing out at the last corner. It was Max’s most encouraging ride so far.

The Berwick heat leaders didn’t really get a look in, and that was because the home heat leaders were in superb form. It’s astonishing how easily Ricky Wells seems to win his heats by large distances, and Sam Masters was at his most dominant also. However it was Erik Riss who took the headlines this time with a full 15 point score from 5 rides.

He had been lying third in heat 3 when Liam Carr fell and caused a stoppage, and he made no mistake thereafter. A couple of times he wasn’t so well away but powerful surges round the opening bends subdued the opposition.

Mark Riss started with two wins and seemed set for another great night, but he hit trouble in heat 11 when clashing with Dimitri Berge and careering head first into the air fence. This proved two things; that the air fence is a brilliant safety feature (Mark rose quickly) and our track staff can replace panels in a very short time.

Mark’s bike was bent though and even though the brothers danced on it to try to straighten it, Mark struggled in his remaining outings.

It wasn’t quite such a good night for Josh Pickering who was another to visit the fence when he came off in heat 6. He took a knock on the leg but still managed a race win in heat 8. He’s managed one at least one in all his meetings so far.

Best wishes to both Liam Carr and Dimitri Berge who had falls during the evening. In Berge’s case, he proved that he is perfectly capable of riding Armadale, especially in heat 8 when he held off a strong challenge from Mark Riss.

Other heats which stick in the memory were a passing and repassing battle between Masters and Vissing in heat 6, and a smooth pass by Ricky Wells in Bridger in heat 11.

Monarchs 57: E Riss 15, Wells 13+2, Masters 11+1, M Riss 9, Pickering 4, Davey 3+1, Clegg 2+1.

Bandits 33: Doolan 8, Vissing 8, Bridger 7, Gappmaier 7, Berge 3+1, Carr 0, Lawlor 0.

Arnold Clark Fiat / Kia Seafield Monarch of the Match: Erik Riss.