Big Night For Sam

NEWS Saturday 30th July 2016, 2:06pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Border Roofing Monarchs fans can be very proud of the efforts of our team captain Sam Masters who tonight takes his place in the World Cup Final at Belle Vue.

Having started the tournament with a 5-point score at Vastervik on Tuesday, Sam did very much better in last night’s race-off, helping the Aussies to a win over Denmark and Russia. His race win in heat 3 over the mighty Emil Sayfutdinov really boosted Sam and his team mates, and his heat 18 victory over Jepsen Jensen was equally important as the Danes piled on the pressure in the latter stages.

Sam finished on 12 as the Aussies totalled 44 to Denmark’s 41, Russia 32 and USA 9. The Aussies suffered the loss of Max Fricke after a heavy crash and sadly Max is ruled out of the final, to be replaced by Josh Grajczonek.

Ryan Fisher top scored with 6 for the Americans in the meeting, after Greg Hancock had bowed out. The missing star’s decision to “give a kid a chance” has not gone down very well with most who were looking forward to seeing him race at Belle Vue.

Ryan started with a tape touch, after which the cameras followed him into the pits as he made clear his displeasure. At least he cares! He then took second place in heat 5 and a second on a TR in heat 13, in which he beat Chris Holder and boosted the hopes of the Danes.

In tonight’s eagerly-anticipated final the Aussies take on Poland, Sweden and the seeded team GB, and we still have one Monarch and one ex-Monarchs in the field!

Tomorrow of course Sam, Ryan and all the other Monarchs head for Ashfield for the equally important Knockout Cup quarter final first leg.