I have just returned from seeing the Monarchs.

No, not our Monarchs, the other Monarchs, the London Monarchs against the Scottish Claymores at Murrayfield.

Just like old times. A stadium in Edinburgh, full of Edinburgh people booing the Monarchs. Except on this occasion the Monarchs won.

It was a reasonable way to spend a Sunday afternoon, not quite my thing, but I won't belittle the fans who regularly turn out to watch.

We could certainly learn from their pre-match presentation. The show starts about 2 hours before kick off with a stage show, beer tents, Army displays, bouncy castles, various eats tents, face painting, clowns on stilts and a track shop with a mob ten deep clambering for the goods.

I fought my way to the front fully intent on actually buying a Monarchs shirt. O.K. it's in the wrong colours but it looks Monarchie and there is no doubt what sport and team you support when you are wearing one.

Of course I kept my hand in my pocket when I found the cost, £35, £15 for a hat, £9 for a handkerchief you tied round your head.

There must have been about 500 fans wearing Claymore shirts (same price all with the same number '95' on the back). These things sell, perhaps it's an idea our track shop should look into - loud loose fitting shirts.

The riders..OOPS! the players were introduced to the crowd amidst a spurt of fireworks and the whole thing was very well put together and spectacular.

Anyway onto the match...

Lots of loud PA with our own (or is he theirs?) Chic Wilson doing most of the talking.

Lots of cheer leaders, 24 divided into 6 per section and very nice too.

Lots of people on the centre green.

Lots of guys with painted faces dressed in kilts waving swords and flags and actually encouraging the Mexican wave. (I did not partake as there were no Mexicans in the crowd I knew).

Lots of stoppages, I mean lots of stoppages, most of which I could not understand and one idiot dressed up as a bear. Read previous issues to discover my feelings about track mascots.

Monarchs 10 : Claymores 9. Lots of grumbling '95' on their back Claymore fans. I was pleased (A Monarchs victory, after all, is a Monarchs victory) and I won't be going again.