Monarchs 2 points Bears 1 point

It was good to be back in the sunshine. The Stellar Monarchs seemed in control of tonight's match for much of the evening and always looked likely winners. They were also well placed to challenge for the aggregate bonus, needing a victory by more then 10 points, but that slipped away as Monarchs struggled over the last three heats.

They had to settle for a 47-43 win in the end. Justin Sedgmen was voted Monarch of the Match and it was a well deserved accolade. He won four races and not necessarily by his usual method of making the gate and sailing round. In heat 3 he was in third spot on the opening lap but came brilliantly between Zischke and Edwards to win.

He was the only home man to beat Danny King (heat 9) and he had another good win from the back against Jason Edwards in heat 12.

It was important that star reserve Jonatan Grahn returned a good score, and he managed paid 10 with one race win. He said "It was a bit disappointing that we didn't take the bonus point but we move forward and take the win. It will be important to get some more track time after the postponements and see our supporters here every week. I'm learning and getting more experience on this track."

The rest of the home side scored solidly enough, including Jordy Loftus who took a couple of well-won points from the visiting reserves. Kye Thomson was unobtrusive but effective with 5+2, taking several points from the back, and Jonatan Grahn contributed a match winning score from reserve.

Victor Palovaara started well with a win over Charles Wright, and took 8 from his first three rides, but he could not do anything about the top visiting riders in heat 13 and 15. These heats are the ongoing Monarchs' problem this season.

He even got a second bite at heat 13 when Michael Palm Toft fell and didn't clear the track with King and Wright ahead. Palovaara held second in the early stages of the rerun but Wright burst through to join King at the front. Wright was reported to be carrying an injury and was not quite his usual self.

They still had the man for heat 15 though as guest Tate Zischke this time joined King for a 5-1. Monarchs realistically had needed an advantage in heat 14 to really challenge for the bonus but Zischke won that also, ahead of Paco Castagna who had a disappointing night of untidy gating. Paco did manage a good paid win in heat 5 after a clever first turn.

Having been 12 down at heat 10, Redcar were probably quite happy to settle for the bonus. Zischke was a good guest and both of the reserves had one impressive ride. Their young guest Will Cairns was not the expected threat but perhaps a little too much is being asked of him at this early stage.