Premier League Northern Group Qualifier

Lothian Arena, Armadale

Friday, 15th May 1998.

Edinburgh went back to the top of the Northern Group with an emphatic victory (and a bonus point) over a much weakened Berwick side, despite looking nowhere near their best. It was a very dull meeting on a very slick track. There was a fair amount of passing, largely to do with poor gating by the home team and poor riding by the visitors. The problem was that it was all too predictable. Even if Peter Carr was last out of the gate, it was inevitable he was going to win.

Edinburgh were at full strength with Barry Campbell retained in the line up despite his recent run of poor scoring. Kenny McKinna also rode despite not having fully recovered from the neck injury sustained last week. Berwick suffered two major blows. Firstly, Peter Scully, the nearest they have to an Armadale track specialist, was out due to injury and was replaced by the in-form Paul Pickering. Secondly reserve sensation René Madsen had not returned from a continental commitment and was replaced by Peter Johnson.

The weather was dry despite low cloud and the track was very slick. Gate position B was used with Edinburgh off 2 and 4 for the first heat.

Peter Carr missed the start but surged past everyone to lead by the end of the first lap. David Meldrum retired on the first lap.

(4-2) (4-2)

Blair Scott gated, Barry Campbell didn't! Campbell managed to pass Johnson and joined Blair Scott in front while McAllan fell at the back and restarted. With Scott and Campbell riding in formation looking rock solid and Johnson slithering all over the track it looked at certain 5-1. However the curse of Campbell struck again and Barry fell on the last bend collecting the two Bandits and the race was awarded.

(3-3) (7-5)

Pickering made a good start ahead of Gould with Little at the back. Little passed Taylor but could make no further progress.

(3-3) (10-8)

An easy win for McKinna but a stunning ride by Campbell to come from the back to pass McAllan and Pingel for a maximum.

(5-1) (15-9)

This heat was notable for a scrap between Little and Lamb and an inside pass on Meldrum by Gould.

(4-2) (19-11)

Larsen gated while Carr on Kenny McKinna's bike had to pass Pingel.

(5-1) (24-12)

McKinna unchallenged while Pickering held off Blair Scott and Craig Taylor fell at the back and remounted.

(4-2) (28-14)

Scott Lamb came in as a tactical substitute for Meldrum to avert a potential 5-1. Lamb had to pass Campbell to win while Larsen passed McAllan.

(3-3) (31-17)

Craig Taylor came in as a tactical substitute for Johnson. Gould gated and won while Little passed Pingel for a maximum. Pingel later retired.

(5-1) (36-18)

Larsen gated and Carr was last away. Carr soon passed both to join Larsen. Another maximum seemed certain until Larsen fell on the second bend of the last lap and the race was awarded.

(3-3) (39-21)

McKinna, on a borrowed bike, was leading when Meldrum fell on the third band was excluded. In the re-run McKinna won after beating off a challenge from Lamb. Blair Scott put pressure on Lamb later in the heat.

(4-2) (43-23)

Little passed Pickering, while Campbell passed Johnson.

(4-2) (47-25)

Scott Lamb gated but was passed by McKinna on the outside on the fourth bend and by Carr on the inside coming out of the fourth bend.

(5-1) (52-26)

Pickering, in as a tactical substitute for McAllan, and Craig Taylor gated. Paul Gould passed Taylor.

(2-4) (54-30)

Kenny McKinna still struggling with his neck injury sat out the nominated heat. Peter Carr won from Lamb and Pickering.

(3-3) (57-33)

The match was dominated by McKinna and Carr, despite the fact that Kenny was far from fit and Carr was still having problems getting his bike out of the gate. Kevin Little was only beaten by Pickering prior to his last place in the nominated heat.

Larsen spoiled his score with a fall when leading Heat 10. Gould was solid as ever. Scott had a disappointing meeting by recent standards while Campbell returned to form with some good passing even though his gating left much to be desired.

Scott Lamb battled hard for very little reward in what was probably his best performance for Berwick at Armadale. Paul Pickering really caught the eye with a good performance and probably exceeded what Scully would have got. When it was announced that Jorg Pingel would miss the Berwick Fours, there was a cheer from the Bandits support, two points from as heat leader says it all.

Craig Taylor was never really in contention and was passed several times. Meldrum seems to get worse each time he comes to Armadale. Johnson and McAllan picked up gift points in Heat 2.

Man of the match: Kenny McKinna

Most exciting rider: Peter Carr

John Lowe
 
 

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