Edinburgh Monarchs v Birmingham Brummies

REPORT Friday 27th July 2007, 10:00pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The first ever visit of Birmingham to Armadale proved to be an exciting and enjoyable occasion with a 4-point win for the Scotwaste Monarchs.

It was the proverbial ?match of two halves? with Monarchs starting strongly and racing into a 12-point lead by heat 9, in which Sanchez fell while on his TR.

That should have closed the door on the Brummies but they chipped away at the lead with four successive heat advantages, each by 2 points.

Matthew Wethers was the most successful home rider once again, and his race wins in heat 11 (against Ostergaard and TS Lyons) and heat 14 were instrumental in retaining the lead.

He came out for his seventh ride in heat 15 and again played a crucial role. With Lyons clear in front and Stancl being pressed by Sanchez (who had passed him in heat 13), Matthew slipped past the Argentinian into third spot off the fourth bend on lap two.

Trying to regain ground and win the second place his team needed, Sanchez went into the boards on the pits bend and the match was decided.

In the early stages Derek Sneddon was a big player, teaming up well with George Stancl. They took a comfortable 5-1 over Ostergaard in heat 1, then combined superbly for another over Sanchez in heat 6.

Stancl had the lead with Sneddon pressing on the outside of Sanchez. George quickly sized up the situation and concentrated on closing the inside line, allowing Derek to sweep round to join him. It was well done and successful.

We also saw Aaron Summers gain a good third in heat 2, backing up Matthew?s first win, and an excellent first ride by Kaj Laukkanen who kept a watchful eye on Jason Lyons.

Heat 7 was a fine battle, Wethers passing Lyons off the second bend but being caught by the veteran Aussie later in the heat.

We took our regular 5-1 from heat 8 and when Sanchez fell in heat 9, that should have been that.

Although Andrew Tully shot to the front in the heat 9 rerun, Kaj was successfully blocked out by Lee Smart.

Heat 10 was another good one as Moller used the inside of turn two, and was pressed all the way by Stancl who in turn had to watch Lyons? passing attempts.

Lyons took a TS in heat 10 but Matthew?s exfellent win restricted the Brummies to a 5-3.

Lyons got his revenge on Laukkanen in heat 12, then heat 13 was another fine heat. Stancl led for much of the race but was always under pressure from the charging Sanchez, who took advantage of George?s slip off the fourth turn on lap three.

Four up with two to go, but Matthew took 5 more points to total a career-best paid 18 and secure the two points.

Full Result Details