MONARCHS GO TOP AFTER A FARCICAL MATCH

NEWS Friday 4th June 2010, 0:05am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs needed to beat Glasgow to go top of the league ? and they did so by a 64-26 scoreline which flattered the Tigers on a night which did little for the credibility of the sport.

It was of course Glasgow's 12th match, bringing them revised averages in 7 days, and the strongest rumour in speedway is that they have a well known big name rider ready to come in to their side. The question is ? who goes out?

The lower Tigers averages were at the end of tonight's meeting, the better their chances of getting the team they want, whatever that may be. What everyone expects though, is that their riders will still go out and race to give the paying public value for money ? but what we actually saw was the unpalatable sight of a succession of engine failures (notably Grajczonek, McGowan and Grieves) and apparently poor rides giving very little challenge to the home men.

Generally Tigers just missed the gate if they didn't stop altogether, but McGowan in heat 13 held second for three laps before riding up to the fence and allowing Andrew Tully to easily go through.

In the final heat, both Grieves and Wethers stopped, leaving Katajisto in front of McGowan. Kalle fell though, and McGowan laid down, and was awarded a win he didn't expect and which could prove to be very significant indeed for the Glasgow team.

It would be lovely to say Monarchs rode brilliantly, but how could you judge against opposition like that?

It was a sad spectacle for fans of both teams, but as for Monarchs we have to move on. The most pleasing thing about the night was the performance of new man Tobias Busch. Even allowing for the poor efforts of the visitors he impressed everyone with a solid show, winning heat 8 in 56.5 and finishing with 8+2.

Everyone else upped their averages and boosted their wage packets. Ryan Fisher admitted when interviewed that he had scored a maximum without even trying.

Real speedway can start again, starting tomorrow with a tough cup tie and continuing thereafter. Hopefully no-one has been terminally sickened by the fiasco they saw this evening.

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