DISAPPOINTING DEFEAT

NEWS Saturday 31st March 2007, 1:15am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Monarchs have made a habit of losing one home Premier Trophy match per year, and they got this year's in early.

In a match they seemed likely to win easily during the early stages, points were thrown away, giving encouragement to the Bears whose top four were going very well.

Gradually Monarchs lead dribbled away, and they went into the final heat just two points ahead.

Ronnie Correy had started the match with a fine win over Havelock, but against the ex-World Champion and the unbeaten James Grieves, he could do no more than stay in close proximity, but in third spot.

Too many of the important points were lost, as well as those which were thrown away due to engine problems (William stopped in second place while chasing Havelock in heat 5, and Matthew ran a last when riding Andrew Tully's machine).

In heat 11 Derek fell while attempting an audacious but unlikely overtake on Havelock, and that closed the gap to just two.

Heat 13 provided a rare highlight for Monarchs as Wethers pulled off a remarkable pass to grab third from Tresaarieu on the line.

However a chance to clinch the win in heat 14 was passed up, and the disappointing closing 1-5 was the last nail in the coffin.

Monarchs travel to Berwick on Saturday night, a big test to put it mildly.