GREETINGS FROM UNCLE ‘B’ (LXXVIII)

NEWS Tuesday 23rd September 2014, 8:19pm

by Brian Gray

  Edinburgh Monarchs

I've only just got my breath back from a weekend in which I've been to 2 countries, 4 tracks, seen 5 meetings with 67 different riders and watched at least 82 heats of Speedway!

It all started last Friday in Armadale at the home of the incredible Edinburgh Scotwaste Monarchs. Berwick Bandits were the visitors for our first Play-off fixture and they had their best result at our track from their four visits this season. Considering they were two up after five and only seven behind after eleven, we were well stoked (I got that word from Smiler) to comfortably secure our first win of the Mini-league. The following afternoon was a wee jaunt down to Shielfield for the return match (always nice when someone else does the driving)! With a poor start and ten points behind after eight, I thought we'd be lucky to even get a point but four heat wins later we were three up and a shared heat from the last saw us ecstatic and relieved to add another win to the previous evening's and effectively put paid to the Bandits progress!

An early start on Sunday (you know me – I hate rushing at the last minute!) and it was Sheffield bound in the Edmobile with two crazy characters as stowaways! After checking in at the hotel, it was straight to Owlerton for the PLRC to cheer on Craig, Steve and, of course, Theo! The meeting was half an hour late in starting and by heat 16 I was getting weary so I think I'm going to have to buy a collapsible seat for these longer meetings! However, the nachos, chilli and cheese helped ease the discomfort. Well, it was back to the hotel for the customary thirst quenchers and I was glad I didn't have to drive north!

After the buffet cooked breakfast it was a delightful trip over the Snake Pass to the other side of the Pennines and head for Belle Vue where the Aces were hosts to both King's Lynn and Coventry in a double-header in front of the Sky cameras. There was some good racing and I was impressed with Richie Worrall and Max Clegg but equally unimpressed with Rory Schlein and Chris Harris.

So, it's three in a row this week starting with another visit to Sheffield for the re-arranged league fixture. The Tigers have big injury problems and it could be an unfamiliar line-up for our visit. Will it be away league win number 8? Friday and Saturday sees us home and away against Workington in the Mini-league. Matches with the Comets are always interesting and I'm looking forward to seeing you and hearing what's new.

Just a quick happy birthday wish to Stevie Worrall, 23 today and, I'm told, it's his twin brother Richie's birthday as well.

If the Speedway isn't enough, don't forget our new feature – Ed's Heat 12 dance! It's going to be a classic this week! So, don't be late and I'll catch you somewhere this week! Take care and be good!

Uncle ‘B’