SUPERB TENTH VICTORY

NEWS Monday 5th May 2014, 6:03pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs duly equalled their all-time club record with a tenth successive win, a truly hard-fought one in a nail-biting match at Scunthorpe, with a final score of 48-43.

Even though we led by ten points as early as heat 3, and again at heat 5, it was anything but an easy win. The Scorpions fought tenaciously and were a point ahead by heat 10, that extra point coming from a TR ride for Ryan Douglas in heat 6.

Over the last five heats though, it was a test of nerve and determination and it was a test we passed with flying colours. Sharing heat 14 was crucial, setting up Craig Cook and Max Fricke for the last heat 5-1 that took us over the line.

Cookie scored another scorching 15-point maximum, and it simply wouldn't be possible without him. But the others all contributed once again and you could feel the collective resolve as the crunch heats arrived.

A special mention is due for Max too because he had one of his best matches yet. He battled hard in every race and rode great lines, especially in that last race when he had Auty and Douglas buzzing round him.

We set off like a steam train with two 5-1's (a great second for Aaron in heat 2) and then a 4-2, a win for Derek with Max just pipped for second by Douglas.

We have sky-high expectations of Sam these days but today he found things tough and had to work very hard for his points. He was at the back in heat 4 with Stevie Worrall in second.

Heat five restored our ten-point lead but also opened up a TR chance for Scunthorpe. Hands up anyone who likes home team TRs?

Fortunately the Scorpions got it the wrong way round with a race win for Howe but Sam second and TR Douglas third. That was a 2-5.

However that wasn't the end of the fightback as we lost 2-4, 1-5, 2-4 to trail 30-31 at heat 10. Had we blown it?

Not with this team. We gated in heat 11 and although Auty rounded Justin Sedgmen, we were ahead again.

The match swung the other way in heat 12 with Max between Douglas and dangerous reserve Jorgensen, and Stevie stuck at the rear.

Heat 13 was Cookie again plus Sam working hard for a point ahead of David Howe, and again we were one up!

Heat 14 was a major hurdle, Birks and Jorgensen against Sneddon and Worrall, who had both lost their gating touch in mid-match.

But you can never discount Derek, and he hit the front! Birks did get by but a great effort by Stevie saw him come into third, passing Jorgensen, and ensuring that we held a vital one- point advantage going into heat 15.

It was a classic with Cookie in front and a cool ride by Max to hold off the home pair. Brilliant effort.

Full Result Details