DESERVED WIN OVER ROCKETS

NEWS Friday 14th September 2007, 0:35am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs showed great determination as well as skill to upset the odds and defeat Rye House more easily than the final 50-45 scoreline suggests.

In fact the match was sown up after 13 heats, with only finishers then required in the last two heats.

Monarchs scored all the way down the line, with Geotge Stancl earning the Hermiston Monarch of the Match award with his paid maximum. His determination to the first turn was a key factor.

Rye House were unlucly in heat 2 when Adam Roynon stopped while leading, but their other early problems tended to involve loss of control on a slightly grippier than usual surface.

Once they had the upper hand, Monarchs showed no inclination to lose it, and Chris Neath in particular seemed to fold with the pressure on.

Rockets used both a TR and a TS but the 5-1 in heat 13 gave Monarchs a 46-34 lead, and virtually certain victory.

A dodgy start to heat 14 and a forceful last corner by the Rockets' top man Tai Woffinden in heat 15 helped close up the scores, but the better team won.