SIX WINS IN A ROW

NEWS Friday 5th June 2015, 11:40pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Border Roofing Monarchs maintained their unbeaten Premier League record for the season, but they knew they had been in a fight in spite of a 53-37 scoreline which makes it look a more comfortable victory than it was.

The home team rode well, for sure, but the Witches brought six riders (one a guest) and five of them rode very well indeed. They had four different race winners, and fought tenaciously whether they made the starts or not.

We opened up with a visiting 1-5 as Danny King and Gino Manzares led home Sam Masters, bucking all over the place around the opening laps. The American took up where he left off on his visit last year.

Monarchs had pegged them back after a couple more races, but when Ipswich took another 5-1 in heat 8 the gap was cut to 25-23 and Monarchs had to start building their advantage all over again.

As usual the middle pairing of Kevin Wolbert and Justin Sedgmen had a great deal to do with our success. Last week they scored 15 points in their three races together, this week it was a mere 14 with Kevin dropping a point to Danny King in a thrilling heat 5. King overhauled Wolbert and closed up on Sedgmen, looking quicker, but as usual Justin was coolness personified as he picked exactly the right lines to thwart the visiting no. 1.

It was probably Sedgy’s best night of the season, a paid maximum of great quality even though he didn’t make all the starts. He is so crafty round that first turn.

Wolbert had three wins in his 10 points, and Craig Cook switched bikes during the night on his way to paid 13.

Sam Masters won two heats after his heat one loss, then did his team a service in heat 13 in which the Witches held a 5-1 on the opening lap. Masters went so hard under King that he made a hole for Cook to come through as well.

Erik Riss had a decent night, his first at reserve, winning heat 2 then picking up four important thirds. Max Clegg rode better than his 2-point score suggests, but Rob Branford found it hard going at no. 2. He is certainly capable of better.

Nico Covatti was probably the most eye-catching of the visitors, displaying spectacular style after having a look at the track from the rear in his first heat. He really scorched round the outside line.

Rohan Tungate got better with each ride and actually led heat 10 till Sam Masters got up inside him. It was a tough call as the two clashed going into the third turn, and the decision might have gone either way. The fact that Sam had gone slightly ahead up the straight probably swung the decision.

Manzares was competitive throughout, as was King obviously though his return was just 7 after that opening win.

And Josh Bates battled away well at reserve, even in his final three heats when he didn’t add to his 5+2 but was always nipping at someone’s tail.

We’ll draw a veil over Ritchie Hawkins who must have wished he had stayed away and can’t seem to get the hang of Armadale after all these years. Considering the first three r/r rides for Heeps didn’t score, their return in the League Cup semi-final should be eagerly anticipated.

Full Result Details