Hard-fought win with solid scoring

REPORT Saturday 8th July 2017, 1:39am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Parsons Peebles Monarchs had to work hard tonight to maintain their early advantage over Berwick Bandits, eventually running out 53-39 winners to consolidate their table-topping position.

Monarchs' guest Justin Sedgmen admitted that he had hoped to do better, though he still managed 8+1. "It was a bit frustrating really I've certainly had better nights round here. All I did was change a spark plug for my last ride and things worked better – such a small thing. Still at least Monarchs won so all's well."

Of course Monarchs rode without Sam Masters and Ricky Wells, with guests Rory Schlein and Justin Sedgmen stepping in – it felt like old times. Rory started with two wins to push Monarchs ahead in the early stages, but Justin admitted he had some bike issues and took until heat 12 to land his only race victory.

Erik Riss was the star of the show again but frustratingly missed out on a maximum in heat 15 for the second home match running.

Theo Pijper was also in solid form, gating very well, and there were enough points throughout the home side to ensure a reasonably comfortable win.

For the Bandits, Kevin Doolan and David Howe both won two races, guest Aaron Summers won one and reserve Jye Etheridge also took the chequered flag, in heat 2. Jye was quite lively, also taking 4 through a tactical ride in heat 12 after he had crashed spectacularly three races earlier, lifting and piling into the fourth bend fence. Max Clegg was quite fortunate to avoid being caught up in this.

Heat 1 was an interesting race, Theo Pijper gating before Rory Schlein moved ahead, leaving Theo to deal with a strong challenge from Aaron Summers, which he did in his familiar relaxed style. That was definitely the start the team was looking for.

Further 4-2 advantages in heats 4 and 6 gave Monarchs a cushion. In the latter heat Theo Pijper had held second but a slight mistake saw Kevin Doolan slip past him. The remainder of the opening ten heats were shared which meant that Berwick could not use a TR until Monarchs took a 4-2 in heat 11.

Erik Riss throughout looked completely dominant, either making the start, dominating the first corner or in the one heat it was required of him, coming from the back. This was required in heat 6 when even the German star could not get off the unproductive gate 1.

Monarchs conceded a 5-3 in heat 12 to the TR, but clinched victory in heat 13 when Erik Riss easily took his fourth victory, and Rory Schlein passed Kevin Doolan for third. Unfortunately Doolan completely misjudged his attempt to repass on the final turn, ramming Rory's back wheel and bringing him down awkwardly. Fortunately no serious damage was done.

Monarchs finally recorded their second 5-1 in heat 14 through Max Clegg and Josh Pickering. Both had been gating poorly, as had Mitchell Davey, but with Howe on gate 1 they were able to take advantage and hit the first turn in front. Once Clegg is away, that's that, but for Josh Pickering it was an encouraging ride as he held off Howe for the paid win.

And so to heat 15. Having missed his maximum last time through a fall, Erik was out early preparing his gate on the outside. The other riders eventually appeared but when the plaintive cry of "Less than thirty seconds!" went up, it was Erik who was still back from the tapes messing about. The red lights came on and Erik was put back 15 metres, which he may not have agreed with but which seemed to me a justified decision.

It certainly made a better race as Erik came storming up, rounded Howe, moved into second and started eating up the ground to race leader Doolan. He just ran out of time to catch him, and that elusive maximum will have to wait at least another week (he did get one on Berwick's last visit!)

Full Result Details