KALLE, KEVIN EXCEL IN BIG WIN

NEWS Saturday 22nd May 2010, 1:16am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Kevin Wolbert powered to a paid maximum against Newcastle but even he was upstaged by the sensationally spectacular Kalle Katajisto, who scored 19+1 and equalled the track record.

He turned on a series of extraordinary rides, blasting round Armadale in irresistible style after losing out to Mark Lemon in heat one. He has been impressive in previous weeks but this was mind-blowing!

John Campbell had been critical after last week's defeat but said tonight ?I had some harsh things to say last week so tonight I must say well done to the team, and also to the track staff for preparing such a good surface. I'm sure we can ride like this every week!?

Wolbert was highly efficient and was never headed by the opposition in his six rides, and both Ryan Fisher and Matthew Wethers only dropped points in their first rides. In Wethers' case this was an engine failure while leading.

Max Dilger struggled in heat 2 but steadied up later on, finishing with four thirds, but for Andrew Tully it was a bad night after taking a heavy fall at the first corner in heat 4. He admitted he should have pulled out then but struggled on for another couple of rides.

Mark Lemon started with a race win for Diamonds but after that didn't win a heat and conceded four 5-1s. Jason King's race win in heat 7 was the only other one his team achieved. The Diamonds of course were missing their Danish stars Larsen and Bach and covered with guest Grajczonek and rider replacement.

Top scorers:

Edinburgh - Kalle Katajisto 19, Kevin Wolbert 16. Newcastle - Mark Lemon 9.