Glasgow 43 Edinburgh 47 Premier League 6th July 2014
Whilst Edinburgh picked up their expected win they were made to fight by a determined Tigers side who were just over a lap away from an unlikely draw.
Tigers had Mason Campton guesting at reserve with R/R for Christian Henry. Monarchs were at full strength.
It was the fast starting Kevin Wolbert who took the opening heat rather easily over Craig Cook and Justin Sedgmen, Anders Thomsen unable to get close in 4th. Sneddon gated in heat 2 and once the Tigers had forced their way past Aaron Fox they took up chase. Despite Sneddon’s apparent slowness neither got past. Heat 3 saw both Monarchs gate with Tigers nowhere and an easy 5-1.
Heat 4 saw a great opening bend by Mason Campton but he allowed Sam Masters inside him on bend 3 and slid off, Campton being excluded. The re-run went the way of Rusty Harrison for a 3-3. Campton was out again in heat 5 but it was Sedgmen who led from Pijper. Cook got past on the fourth bend and it was another 1-5.
Tigers needed to respond in the next, and they did with Anders Thomsen riding a good first two bends to lead. Monarchs were in the minor places until Wolbert passed Aaron Fox at the end of lap 2 for a 4-2. It was Harrison again in heat 7 but Monarchs packed the minor places, Kasper Lykke not quite managing to get close for a pass. Heat 8 saw Thomsen out again but he neither he or Campton could catch Sedgmen.
Tigers got themselves back in the match with a 5-1 from Harrison and Pijper over Masters in heat 9 although the latter was all over Pijper for the whole race. Score was now 26-28 but Monarchs looked strong in Heat 10 but it was Wolbert who took the win and a 3-3. Tigers had to dig deep in heat 11 with Cook and Sedgmen out against the unbeaten Harrison. An astonishing opening bend saw Sedgmen lead, Harrison second with Lykke an unlikely third after an awful gate. That’s the way it stayed although Harrison had a few attempts at Sedgmen. Lykke’s third was probably his best of the season!!
Tigers had to get something out of heat 12 and when both Pijper and Campton gated a 5-1 was on the cards. Fricke though stormed up the inside of the second bend relegating Campton to last and set after Pijper. Just like last week he looked quicker and passed him on the final lap for an important 4-2.
After Cook was warned for rolling at the start of heat 13, it was Rusty who was quickest away, the Monarchs team riding the hard pressing Wolbert out to share the race. Worrall took an easy win in heat 14 but Pijper and Lykke took the 3-3 and the match to a last heat decider at 40-44.
For most of heat 15 it looked like Wolbert and Harrison were going to get the shock 5-1 required to draw as they led going into lap 3. Cook had other ideas and he managed to split them on the 4th bend. Back came Rusty and it looked like he may have the run on Cook down the back straight but going into the third turn he was still slightly behind. He tried to ride around the outside but unfortunately hit the fence and Edinburgh took the win.
It was a good performance from the home side, never allowing their heads to drop and so nearly came away with a point. Had track/weather conditions been similar to last week a win may have been on the cards. Rusty was outstanding, easily the best rider on show with some decent backup from Kevin. Monarchs obviously took the points but probably not as easy or by as many as their supporters expected beforehand. It’s not often Craig Cook fails to win a race and it is also worth noting that 6 of Glasgow’s 7 timed race wins were quicker than all of Edinburgh’s!!!
Glasgow 43:Wolbert 10,Thomsen 5+1, R/R (6), Pijper 7+1, Harrison 14, Lykke Nielsen 3+3, Campton 4
Edinburgh 47: Cook 7+2, Sedgmen 10+1,Fricke 8+4, Worrall 10, Masters 7, Fox 0, Sneddon 5+1
<Match report by Derek Watson>