WE'RE IN THE CUP FINAL

NEWS Saturday 18th September 2010, 11:50pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs splashed home at Workington to complete the semi-final victory which was made almost certain at Armadale on Friday. They lost 38-33 in a mudbath mercifully called off after 12 heats.

The main motivation for both teams was to get the match out of the way, because conditions were really not suitable for the majority of the 12 races. There were a number of tumbles on the third corner especially, but it was remarkable how competitive the first bends were.

Our points were spread throughout the team, with Ryan Fisher as ever the top man with three victories. Mind you he was quite fortunate in heat 1 when Richard Lawson packed up on the last bend while leading.

The match result was unimportant, though we did lead 19-17 after 6 races. Scores were level at heat 9 and we looked like taking the lead in heat 11 till Matthew Wethers fell when in third place. A heat 12 home 5-1 gave them the win but there was no question of anyone wanting to prolong the match further.

We will race the winners of Newcastle v Birmingham, the second leg of which is due on 3rd October. It is our second cup final in succession, and seventh in all. Our cup wins were in 1981, 1997 and 1999.