SEVEN POINT LOSS AT SOMERSET

NEWS Wednesday 21st September 2011, 10:45pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs just missed a league point against a weakened Somerset team tonight as they went down 48-41 at the Oak Tree Arena.

Considering that the Rebels lost BOTH Dakota North and Corey Gathercole, and were already using rider replacement for Christian Hefenbrock, this might look like a disappointing loss, but the truth is that we performed much better than on our last visit a fortnight ago.

The injuries occurred when Gathercole hit the fence on the first lap of heat 3. Our pair both avoided him but Dakota North unluckily hit the fallen rider or his bike. After a delay of over 40 minutes during which there was track grading, a broken-down tractor then some watering of the dusty circuit, the two Rebels were withdrawn.

We rode without Kalle Katajisto who was a late withdrawal with a back injury, but the remaining six all rode with plenty of spirit. Kevin Wolbert scored a fine 13 points, Matthew Wethers won three heats on his return from injury and Craig Cook had his best away match for a while.

The reason Somerset were able to plug the gaps in their team so well was that their reserves were outstanding, the equal of any other riders in the match. Alex Davies scored 14 and guest Kyle Newman 13, a substantial step up from the expected contribution of the rider he was replacing James Holder.

We did briefly lead 18-17 after six heats, but had cause to rue points dropped when Cook touched the tapes in heat 4 and when Matthew Wethers fell in heat 8.

Cook appeared to be conned into the tapes by James Wright who seemed to get away with rolling starts in every heat he rode in. Even so he was most unlucky not to grab second spot from Newman after storming through from the back.

He won his next heat from the back against Masters and overall gave an excellent display.

Kyle Howarth picked up points in his usual dogged manner, including an excellent win over Newman in heat 8.

Andrew Tully maybe wasn't at his best but plugged away and scored in every race, while Tom Perry was admirably on the pace if only managing a single point.

We went into the final heat 7 down and needed an advantage to take a point. In spite of Wright's usual roller, Kevin rounded him up and won easily leaving Matthew to battle with the home riders. He could have finished in any of the minor places but looked like grabbing third until Masters swept wide off the final turn and pipped him on the line.

We have to congratulate Somerset on a fine display in adversity but our own riders had nothing to be ashamed of.