SUPER ASHFIELD DISPLAY

NEWS Sunday 26th May 2013, 8:00pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs excelled in the latest Scottish derby, winning the League Cup match 61-32 to complete the northern section unbeaten. It was our biggest ever away win against the Tigers, and just a point short of our biggest ever away wins (30 points v Motherwell 1951 and Newcastle 1961).

Where to begin? Perhaps with Mitchell Davey, who won heat 2 but took the mother of all purlers in heat 9 when Joey Ringwood clipped the fence coming out of the last corner. His bike careered across the track and whacked Mitchell off his bike, sending him high in the air.

Unfortunately although Mitchell was able to join the others for the post match on-track celebration, it has been ascertained that he has broken his wrist and will probably be out for five weeks.

Alex Harkess said "When we started with three 5-1s, I just wondered to myself – where's this going? Every one of them went there wanting to be a success, and every one of them was.

"I asked captain Derek if he'd ever had an away maximum before and he replied quickly – Never! So special congratulations to him."

We simply blitzed the Tigers right from the first moment, a 5-1 in heat 1, 15-3 after 3, 24-6 after 5. Incredible scoring.

Glasgow then took an 8-1, but after that we resumed our masterclass, gating well most of the time but doing some passing as well.

Heat 7 in fact was an example of that as James Grieves made the start, only for Max Fricke to edge ahead down the back straight in great style. Theo Pijper followed through and ensured another 5-1.

Derek Sneddon and Jozsef Tabaka thwarted the second TR (Bager in heat 8) and then we had the Davey/Ringwood accident.

After a lengthy delay Joe Screen won heat 10, but we then knocked in another couple of 5-1s just in case anyone thought there might be a turnaround.

Craig actually missed the gate in heat 11, but swooped perfectly round the outside of the pits turn to pass Grieves and join Derek at the front. This completed a paid maximum for Derek, a great effort.

Glasgow gained their second advantage in heat 13, a great race as Cook chased Screen and just missed out.

Jozsef won heat 14, and Craig finished off with a big win in the last race, completing four incredible days for him personally with just one point dropped in four matches. He gets tomorrow off as a possible guest booking at Wolverhampton isn't happening.

Every one of our team had to be delighted. Claus Vissing wasn't happy with the engine he rode over the weekend but still took 2 wins and Max Fricke was much improved from Friday (with Matthew Wethers mechanicking). Jozsef Tabaka's paid 13 was excellent too, and Theo Pijper was classy throughout as always.

It was a disaster for Glasgow of course, and Sean Courtney apologised to the home fans, promising changes. Monarchs don't plan on making any!

Full Result Details