Erik the Champ, Sam a finalist

NEWS Sunday 1st September 2019, 8:40pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Sam Masters has a great record in the Individual Championship with a win in 2011 and a second place in 2016, and this year he added another appearance in the Final, a good show even though he could only manage fourth place. Winner was his old team mate Erik Riss.

Monarchs' boss Alex Harkess said "Sam was at his best when the track was difficult at the beginning, wet and heavy. As it became slicker and drier then it was very much dependant on making the start. Sam just didn't make it in the final, I'm not sure that Erik off gate one did either but he just kept going straight till he had forced his way to the front!

"I don't begrudge him at all. The meeting dragged a bit, much of the interest was in the closeness of the scores."

Edinburgh fans will be delighted for our good friend Erik Riss who was a four-year Monarch before moving to King's Lynn this season and then returning to the Championship with Redcar.

Everyone who knows this thoughtful rider will be delighted he has achieved this milestone in his career, well deserved after scoring 12 in the qualifiers and winning the semi-final.

Also on 12 were Ryan Douglas and Sam, and it was these two who went straight to the final. Sam had made a powerful start with two victories before a third place in heat 12 behind Douglas and Zaine Kennedy who was one of the riders coming in to the meeting to replace late withdrawals.

Another win for Sam in heat 15 ahead of Rasmus Jensen ensured that Glasgow's Dane would not make the semis. The way Jensen rode in his last three rides he would have been a strong contender had he qualified, but he had started with two last places.

Sam's final qualifying ride was a second behind Jake Allen. He had done enough to make the final but sadly he finished out of the top three.

Full marks to Erik and also home man Danny King plus Ryan Douglas who has had a great season. It was not an event with too much great racing and there were delays in the early stages with the riders unhappy with the track. Things picked up a bit after some grading.

Defending champion Craig Cook barely covered any ground, pulling out in the early stages of three heats and then withdrawing from the meeting.