Sheffield Tigers v Edinburgh Monarchs

REPORT Thursday 21st May 2015, 10:00pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Our objective in the first leg of this potentially tough tie was to keep the score close, and that was achieved.

The first heat went to surprise packet Ashley Birks who looked very quick. Sam Masters pushed him hard but had to keep an eye on Tigers' guest Lasse Bjerre just behind him. Erik Riss got round OK at the rear.

We expected a tough match on the fast track for the reserves, and even though Max Clegg was briefly ahead the home pair were on a 5-1 from the fourth bend of lap one. So we trailed by 6 already!

Garrity got a blatant roller from gate 1 in heat 3, and won the heat, but Birks this time was at the back when he pulled out of the race.

Craig Cook was impressive winning heat 4 in the fastest time of the night, then Garrity discovered the danger of trying to jump the start when he picked up a tapes exclusion in heat 5. The rerun was shared with a good point for Riss.

Cook won heat 6 and Wolbert heat 7, with Sedgy third after a great battle with the home pair, so the score was now 23-19.

Erik got into second off the second bend in heat 8 but carried too much speed into the next turn and dropped to third. 8 down now, which remained the same as Cook beat Birks and Garrity in heat 9.

We took another 4-2 in heat 10 through Wolbert and Sedgmen, then Sam won his first race beating Compton in heat 11. Excellent work by Branford after changing his bike for heat 12, passing Sissis and helping Wolbert through as well.

Compton beat Cook and Masters in heat 13 with Bjerre at the back, then Sedgmen won heat 14 to leave us 6 down going into the last race. Birks led the way but lost control and brought Compton down, and in the rerun we took a 5-1 from Craig and Kevin.

Full Result Details