Glasgow Tigers v Edinburgh Monarchs

REPORT Monday 29th May 2006, 10:00pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

William Lawson's crash in heat 14 proved to be our undoing as we unluckily lost the Spring Trophy at Ashfield.

Unlucky? Certainly, on two counts - first of all we were on the verge of clinching the coveted Spring as we held a 5-1 in heat 14 - only for Derek to slow slightly with a concern over his engine, William to move out - and crash. Ironically he has looked the least likely of our team to crash in recent weeks.

Secondly, of course, 6 of Tigers' 85 points were taken in Tactical Rides at Armadale. We never had the chance to gain any such points because we were not far enough behind. So did we really win 83-79? Well you can't say that of course, but you get the point.

Having said that, as usual at Ashfield we were too reliant on picking up the minor placings and winning heats 8, 12 and 14. Our star man was reserve Derek Sneddon (paid 13) and that means the heat leaders must consider their performances.

I would quickly add that Rusty could not have given more. Twice he led Parked into the final lap, in heats 4 and 13, and each time he was pipped by inches after perfect, skilful and outstanding overtakes by Parker. Rusty never did anything wrong, he was beaten narrowly by a master.

Suggestions that he should have held a tighter line don't really add up - because Parker is a master at going around anyone trying that.

None of our other riders got a sniff of Bird or Parker, with Theo's score of paid 9 especially flattering. We need more from him. Henrik too failed to show the heat leader form which we need.

Other than the brilliant Parker passes, the main interest in the match came from the closeness of the scores. We were level at heat 8 and level at heat 12, which were two of our three advantages. However it wasn't good enough for us to hang on over our problem heats 13 and 15 - although with luck we would have finished the job in heat 14!

That heat 14 - Derek and William did so well to get the better of Neiminen and Cockle (replacing tape breaker Ksiezak) and they seemed set for the trophy-clinching 5-1. What a nasty moment it was as William went wider at the end of lap three and couldn't avoid running into the fence and crashing heavily.

No need to report on heat 15 - even if you weren't there you can guess how that went.

Overall - the better team lost! But it is up to us to ensure that doesn't happen again.

Full Result Details