Derby ends in a draw

REPORT Saturday 13th May 2017, 1:13am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Parsons Peebles Monarchs stay at the top of the league after a 45-45 draw in a very tense and tight Scottish derby at Armadale tonight.

Monarchs led into the final heat, which was a thriller, and it looked like Tigers would take the victory when they gated on a 5-1. However Sam Masters showed great determination and skill to force his way into second ahead of Richie Worrall. He put pressure on Aaron Summers, and Ricky Wells got onto the tail of Worrall, but the extra point needed for victory proved beyond us.

As with any match which is this tight (9 3-3s, no 5-1s, never more than two points between the teams), both sides can point to heats where they might have done better and taken the extra point they needed.

Monarchs had 9 heat winners to Glasgow’s 6, but Monarchs also had 9 of the last places which is pretty disappointing on their home track.

From the home point of view, Josh Pickering’s fall in heat 1 when third, and Ricky Wells lost chain at the gate in heat 11, were very costly. Apparently this is only the second lost chain Ricky has ever suffered!

Glasgow for sure will point to heat 13 when their men had gated on a 5-1, only for Ricky Wells to fall awkwardly on the first corner and stop the heat. Sam Masters grabbed his second chance and won the race.

Two quick starts were treated differently, and if Max Clegg’s fast gate in heat 3 warranted a stoppage and a warning (very rare so far this season) then Dan Bewley’s gate in heat 14 was surely more blatant.

All these bones of contention, but it is hard to argue that a draw wasn’t a fair result, leaving Glasgow obviously happier than Edinburgh. They have taken 5 points from the home and away matches to Edinburgh’s 1.

Sam Masters had probably his best home match of the season, and Ricky Wells seemed sure to emulate him after two great wins. He then had that frustrating lost chain, the heat 13 fall and a missed start in heat 15, leaving him reflecting on a disappointing score in the end.

Mark Riss was the top reserve as expected with 12+1, but he just failed to overhaul Bewley after that fast heat 14 start. Brother Erik scored consistently and finished with a strong win after a really tight first bend in heat 12 saw Richard Lawson lose control and drop to the back.

Mitchell Davey beat the opposition number 7 in his first two rides, but didn’t capitalise on a fast gate in heat 7, swinging too wide out of the second turn. Max Clegg will perhaps be criticised for scoring just a single point, but he is riding at a tough position and did take an excellent and crucial third in heat 14 from the back, against Perry.

Josh Pickering will probably be the most disappointed home man after recording his lowest home score on such an important night, but we do know that we have a gem there who is going places in the sport.

Glasgow in truth could be happy with all their riders. Summers and Lawson won two heats each with Aaron taking the last heat decider. Worrall had an excellent overtake to win heat 9.

Bewley scored in every ride and didn’t get pulled back in heat 14, a vital win. Tom Perry was steady throughout and scored good points, and Jack Smith’s potential is obvious even though he hasn’t scored many points in the Championship yet. He will.

So that’s it, the Scottish derby has been and gone (in front of the biggest crowd of the season) and Glasgow will be happier, but Edinburgh are still well in there fighting.

Full Result Details