A WIN BUT NO BONUS

NEWS Saturday 16th September 2006, 10:00am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs beat Newcastle 51-45 but in the circumstances the Diamonds would be happy that they took the aggregate bonus point.

The loss of George Stancl, who shed a chain while leading his second heat, and the fact that they could field only one rider in three heats, should have given Monarchs a clear path to take the bonus as well. They led by 14 points after heat 6, and by 12 after heat 13, but each time blew the advantage as Newcastle fought for the Playoff place.

It was a mixed performance indeed - Theo Pijper (who broke the track record again), William Lawson and Matthew Wethers were all in very good form, and Daniele Tessari gave his best home display so far.

However Derek Sneddon and Henrik Moller were depressingly poor and put too much pressure on the others.

It was a meeting full of drama with plenty of good racing in addition to regular changes of fortune.

The teams were level on aggregate going into the final heat, with Monarchs looking the stronger pair, but Josef Franc and James Grieves took a 4-2 as Pijper blew his motor.

Newcastle now look set to make the Playoffs and travel to Workington tonight, though they will need to find a guest for George Stancl.