Image Credit: Ron MacNeill

BIG WIN MAKES IT 24 UNBEATEN

NEWS Saturday 19th July 2014, 1:23am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

It would be hard to imagine a more complete performance than that given tonight by the Incredible Scotwaste Monarchs in beating Workington Comets 63-29, their 24th match of the season without defeat.

This is one more than Arena-Essex's 23 match run in 1991. The riders all lived up to their newly-created cartoon characters and everyone scored at least 7 as the demoralised Comets were put to the sword. Ricky Wells and Rene Bach managed one race win each and that was all the Monarchs were prepared to give away.

Where to begin? Another paid maximum for Craig Cook, outgated once or twice but always in control before the end of lap one. Max Fricke brilliant again, unbeaten in his last four, a highlight being heat 15 when even though Rene Bach made the start, Cook (outside) and Fricke (inside) sliced past off the second bend. That was some pincer move.

Justin Sedgmen and Stevie Worrall, totally sound in the second string berths. Worrall lost points due to a two-minute exclusion – but replacement Derek Sneddon still took a paid win from the heat.

Sam Masters – did a fair bit of chasing but he dealt strongly with the second TR, clamping Josh Grajczonek to the kerb as Aaron Fox came round the outside to lead.

And maybe best of all, 17+2 from the reserves who had probably their best matches of the season. Derek Sneddon gated well and showed tenacity and steadiness, while Aaron Fox must have been a candidate for DDS Monarch of the Match. If there was ever a point where the result was even slightly in doubt, it was after Comets' 6-3 in heat 7. But with Justin Sedgmen having his only bad ride, the remarkable Fox raced off to beat Bach and ensure no further ground was lost.

Workington didn't perform well but they were just not allowed to. Josh Grajczonek fell quite heavily in heat 1, then had a good second and petered out with two last places. Rene Bach was fairly competitive all night but took only one win in six rides, while Ricky Wells won smoothly in heat 4 but never looked a threat thereafter.

Monarchs now face two very tough matches over the weekend, at Berwick (Saturday in the KO Cup) and Peterborough (Sunday, League).