SOLID SHOW AND A GOOD HOME WIN

NEWS Friday 1st July 2011, 0:40am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs had to work hard to subdue Newcastle tonight and didn't take the lead until heat 8, but they pulled ahead over the closing stages to earn a very good three points with all seven contributing. It was possibly the best performance of the season by the home side.

The man who made the difference was Kyle Howarth with a score of 8+1, the kind of return which the Monarchs have been completely missing from their reserve berths recently. He took his first two races to get going then won heat 8 with Matthew Wethers riding alongside him, and backed up Andrew Tully in heat 12 for another important 5-1.

That meant Monarchs were able to overcome the setback of a heat one 1-5. They levelled the scores in heat 3, which was followed by four shared races.

That heat one reverse followed the exclusion of Kevin Wolbert, when many referees might have gone for all four back as he fell on the outside. Matthew Wethers had been leading but missed the start in the rerun.

Heat 2 also was rerun, and again Monarchs suffered with Newman winning after Howarth had led the first race, until Worrall crashed into the fence.

It all came right in the end. On Armadale's hottest night of the season it was hard to keep grip in the track and there were a number of processions, but also some very good heats. Both Andrew Tully (heat 5) and Kevin Wolbert (heat 13) pulled off excellent overtakes on Newcastle's guest James Grieves, and there were some good heats with Diamonds recent Danish signing Claes Nedermark, an impressive Armadale first-timer.

Kalle Katajisto had three wins, and Craig Cook closed the show with a superb first corner to race away with heat 15.

New boy Tim Webster had a decent debut, picking up a couple of points and getting round the track well.

Full Result Details