Big home win once again

REPORT Saturday 8th September 2018, 1:35am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Lakeside Hammers were rated tough opposition for the Staggs Bar Monarchs at Armadale tonight, but in the end the margin of victory was pretty wide, a 57-33 home success. However on a tricky track both the Monarchs' Swedish riders suffered injuries and hobbled home at the end.

For recently-returned William Lawson it was a best-yet for the season score of 11+2, starting with two wins and adding a paid win in heat 14. He said "The track was quite difficult to begin with but I'm delighted with my performance. I managed seven rides and I feel fit enough. In these conditions riders make mistakes and you can pass. If you get in the corner right then it's OK."

We don't know yet whether Victor Palovaara (hand) and Joel Andersson (foot) will recover in time for Tuesday's important visit to Glasgow, though both riders expressed their determination to be there.

Joel spun off on the first corner of heat 2 and Alfie Bowtell could not avoid him. He withdrew from the meeting at that point. Victor crashed in heat 8 going into the first corner with his bike hitting the air fence after he had managed to get off. Victor was announced as a starter for heat 10 but missed the two minute allowance.

As in recent weeks Monarchs piled up an early advantage and led 32-10 by heat 7, so the injuries did not put tonight's result in danger. The track was undoubtedly tricky though and several riders had difficulties, not just the visitors. The home riders like grippy conditions but the difficult thing is getting the balance right to still allow good racing.

All of the home men did score well though no-one managed a maximum. William Lawson came from the back to win heat 2 against Wajtknecht (who impressed on his Armadale debut) and after that, his first race win, he took another in a rather shambolic heat 4 which should probably have been stopped after race leader Adam Ellis came off and baulked Erik Riss.

In the end William had seven rides and scored paid 13. Both Josh Pickering and Richie Worrall were unbeaten from their programmed rides but they were headed by Richard Lawson in heat 15. The visiting captain had also won heat 13, an impressive double these days at fortress Armadale.

The other Hammers' heat leaders Nick Morris and Adam Ellis both also won heats but looked uncomfortable at times.

Full Result Details