Another three points in Playoff push

The Stellar Monarchs did not have it all their own way in a match which started with five successive 5-1s, and there were some ups and downs for both teams along the way before the home side came out on top by 48-42.

Captain Paco Castagna was delighted with his team and his own performance. He said "I needed that, I keep saying we're in a moment of good form and the good thing is that we cover for each other. I was pleased to equal my best score around Armadale so I can't really complain can I?

"I said to the boys that it's been a few years since we made the Playoffs, but now I feel that we deserve the Playoffs. We all know we can get there."

For two teams built for solidity, neither was very solid! Both had two top-notch performers (Sedgmen and Castagna, Allen and Lambert), a couple of good backup men and a struggler or two.

Sedgmen was simply immaculate, leading from tapes to flag in every ride and winning by long distances. Castagna was the thrillmaker for the Monarchs, using that powerhoiuse inside line to burst through from the back.

Simon Lambert has struggled this season at times but he was immense tonight, fast gating and powerful riding bringing him his best Armadale score. Jake Allen was at least as impressive with some strong and spectacular first bend work, matching Lambert's three race wins in what was also his best Armadale show.

Monarchs took three of these opening 5-1 advantages to Scunthorpe's two, all pretty much from the gate other than an excellent battle for second in heat two between Jonatan Grahn and Declan Kennedy, which the visitor got the better of on his Armadale debut.

There was a first bend tumble in heat 7 as Harrison ran into the back wheel of Palm Toft with the Scorpion excluded. Connor Mountain won the rerun though and Palm Toft has still to show his best form to the home fans.

Heat 8 was also shared with captain Castagna bursting from the back to pass Lambert and Zaine Kennedy. Sedgmen then won the battle of two unbeaten riders against Allen, but as that opened up a six point gap it was no surprise that Allen was immediately introduced into heat 10 by team boss David Howe.

This brought to the fore Monarchs reserve Grahn, preferred to Palm Toft as the rider replacement, with the Swede sweeping round Allen and Mountain to join Castagna for a 5-1. A result unexpected on form previously shown but taking Monarchs into a ten-point lead just prior to Ed the Monarch's birthday race, an impressive event with an encouragingly large field.

Palm Toft gated better in heat 11 but was overhauled by Lambert, and there was still work to do. Up popped Grahn again as Sedgmen won his fifth heat backed by the Swede to virtually ensure the win.

Grahn had recorded two vital paid wins with a very poor ride in between, an inconsistency perhaps explained when he reported feeling unwell during the evening.

Scunthorpe cut the deficit by six over the next two heats but the points were in the bag, and we had an excellent finale as Castagna passed Steve Worrall in heat 15.

Rider replacement for the unwell no. 1 Palovaara scored 9 + 1 bonus, an acceptable return, but Monarchs will be hoping Victor returns, Michael Palm Toft finds form and everyone avoids sickness over the next couple of important weeks.