MIGHTY MONARCHS

NEWS Saturday 20th September 2014, 9:19pm

by Toby Lerone

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs took a giant step to the Play Off final by winning at Berwick on Saturday night by 48 to 45 despite being ten points down after heat 8.

On a night that everyone of the team played their part it was a personal triumph for Derek Sneddon. With every rider in the Premier League with a lower average being unavailable Derek bravely took the decision to ride saying,"If you need me to do it, I will do it. All I can do is give it a go." And he certainly did producing one of his biggest scores ever to finish with 10 and a bonus.

Things did not start well for the Scotwaste Monarchs losing a 5-1 in heat 1and drifting to a ten point deficit by heat 8 with only Derek and Sam as race winners at that stage.

The tide began to turn in heat 9 with a tactical ride win for Sam to reduce the deficit to 7. Heat 11 produced a 5-1 from Craig and Derek and that was followed by another maximum from Craig and Sam in heat 13 to take us into the lead for the first time.

Stevie made a super start to lead and when David Bellego fell in a desperate effort to take the lead it left Derek to make a titanic effort to try and pass Alex Edberg. He just missed out.

So we arrived at the last race three ahead. After a lengthy delay whilst Berwick decided on their pair Craig and Sam settled into second and third places behind fast starting Matej Kus to secure the win.

We have more than one foot in the play off final!