JOB WELL DONE IN THE FIRST LEG

REPORT Friday 6th June 2014, 11:27pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs established what looks like a winning lead in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final against Sheffield, winning 63-28 with unbeaten performances from Steve Worrall, Justin Sedgmen and Craig Cook.

Alex Harkess said "We really were outstanding tonight and I'm very happy with the lead we got. In spite of the score there was some entertainment and as always the team worked really well together."

It was Justin who picked up the DDS Monarch of the Match award, and certainly he was at his best. The main opposition during the evening came from Simon Stead and Justin had to beat him 3 times, including Simon's TR ride in heat 5.

Monarchs picked up 9 5-1s in a performance which was as impressive as anything they have done this season. They gated brilliantly, and when necessary we saw some excellent team riding with heat 8 perhaps the best example.

Sam Masters and Stevie Worrall gated in this and rode perfectly, Stevie outside and Sam on the line, shutting out all the best efforts of the spectacular Stead.

Craig Cook and Justin Sedgmen had started with a heat 1 5-1 over Stead, and the same pair completed the evening with another 5-1 over the same rider!

There were brief flourishes from Andre Compton and Leigh Lanham as well, Compton heading Cook for a couple of laps in heat 10, but the visitors only gained 2 heat advantages and generally had no answer to the quality or the teamwork of the Monarchs.

Worrall and Sedgmen completed six-ride unbeaten meetings, Cook did the same from his five rides. Sam Masters scored 10, Derek Sneddon 6 and young Max Clegg showed a nice style standing in for Aaron Fox, and scored 1. And oh yes, it took Monarchs to 17 matches unbeaten for the season.

Attention now turns to Cook's GP qualifier at Berwick tomorrow, and Max Fricke's World Under-21 Team qualifier at Teterow, also tomorrow.

Sam Masters is due to ride at Leicester while Masters, Sneddon and Sedgmen are in the James Grieves Farewell at Glasgow on Sunday.

Monarchs are in team action again next Friday against Plymouth.

Full Result Details