Heat win coming up from our reserves Image Credit: Ron MacNeill

PLUS POINTS IN DEFEAT

NEWS Friday 25th March 2011, 0:31am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

No-one wants to lose their first home match, as the Scotwaste Monarchs did tonight, but some decent heats plus an excellent home debut by Craig Cook helped to ease the pain of a 2-point loss in the first leg of the Premier Shield.

Young Cook snaffled 10 points and looked set to assist Matthew Wethers in a match-saving 3-3 in the final heat, especially when Mark Lemon tumbled. However Craig came down as well and Mark reacted quicker to secure the 2-point win for the visitors.

Down at reserve, where both sides fielded an inexperienced pair, the Monarchs outscored the Diamonds 8-2 with Jay Herne matching Cook's feat of winning his first race for the team.

Kalle Katajisto hit ten points, and pulled off the pass of the night when he swept round Derek Sneddon in a thrilling heat 11. Unfortunately a machine problem prevented the young Finn coming out for the final heat.

Matthew Wethers took one ride to settle back after his late return to the UK, then clocked up an excellent 10 points from his final four heats.

Andrew Tully made his return from injury and fell off on the first turn in his first race. Thereafter he gated dreadfully before picking up speed, and got his reward in heat 12 when he came from miles behind to pass Lubos Tomicek.

Unfortunately the big disappointment in the home camp was the rider who has had the most meetings to date. Kevin Wolbert had an absolute stinker, and lost position several times on his way to a total of 1 point. Obviously he has to snap out of that straight away or we will be in trouble ? such a showing is certainly inconsistent with two Elite League scores of 7 so far.

For Diamonds, Stuart Robson made a predictable mockery of the 6.55 average he was awarded after the winter rule changes, and their other major success was our on-loan Derek Sneddon. Mark Lemon was very sound and while the Diamonds may be slightly worried about Bach's early form, what would we have given for a no. 1 scoring 7!