Premier League

Lothian Arena, Armadale

Friday, 11th September 1998.

While Berwick are rooted near the bottom of the Premier League, no-one was fooled at Armadale into thinking that it would be an easy match. Indeed, the new look Berwick line-up stuffed with Armadale specialists looked, on paper, the strongest ever visiting side seen at the Arena including Peterborough in 1998 and Reading in 1997.

Berwick were led by James Grieves who had a full maximum against England under-21s at Armadale and very nearly won the Scottish Open two weeks back. Next came David Walsh always a good Powderhall performer who was a semi-finalist in the Scottish Open this year. Berwick's trump card was second string Martin Dixon, the only visitor to get a maximum at Armadale in 1997 and recently a finalist in 'The Gathering' individual meeting here. He was joined at second string by Peter Scully, third in the Scottish Open of 1997. Finally at reserve there was David Meldrum, surely due a big score at Armadale, and their only weak link, Peter Johnson. Berwick used rider replacement for the injured Scott Robson giving extra rides to Grieves, Dixon, Scully and Meldrum.

Given the bizarre decisions coming from the BSPA, they must have been feeling really benevolent to allow Berwick to have three heat leaders dropped from the Elite League. Also how did Martin Dixon ever get an average of 6.05? Not appearing for Berwick were Scott Lamb, Jorg Pingel, René Madsen, Craig Taylor, Wesley Waite and David McAllan!!!

Edinburgh were at full strength and won the toss electing to take gates 1 and 3 in the first heat.

Grieves from the gate edged ahead of Carr and was not really troubled. Scully blasted around to outside and at one stage passed Carr but was soon repassed.

(2-4) (2-4)

Meldrum gated and resisted all attempts by Gould and Scott to get past him.

(3-3) (5-7)

This looked ominous for Monarchs with rider replacement James Grieves joining Martin Dixon. Alfonso had a great start and led until passed by Grieves. Martin Dixon passed and was repassed by Kevin Little

(3-3) (8-10)

McKinna gave Monarchs their first heat win but Meldrum again got the better of Gould, who fell and restarted, to tie the heat.

(3-3) (11-13)

Little gated but could not hold back Grieves as Scully stayed ahead of Alfonso to double the Berwick lead.

(2-4) (13-17)

David Walsh gated but was swept aside by Peter Carr. Barry Campbell backed up Carr to gain Monarch's first heat advantage.

(4-2) (17-19)

Martin Dixon looked more like the rider of last year as he outgated and held off Kenny McKinna. Blair Scott limited the damage by beating rider replacement David Meldrum.

(3-3) (20-22)

Disaster for Monarchs as Campbell was left at the line with engine troubles and retired after spluttering round for a lap or so. Scully and Meldrum gated but Paul Gould forced his way between them to take a good second place.

(2-4) (22-26)

An impressive ride by Kevin Little to pass David Walsh although Alfonso could do no better than third. The gap was reduced once more.

(4-2) (26-28)

Peter Scully was rider replacement and Paul Gould came in as a reserve change for Campbell. A superb win from the back by Carr having missed the start. Her cut under Scully and Gould on the third bend and then set of after Dixon and passed him going into the last lap.

(3-3) (29-31)

McKinna and Scott gated and the latter held back Grieves for long enough to allow McKinna to get away and kill off his maximum hopes.

(3-3) (32-34)

Martin Dixon as rider replacement and David Meldrum a reserve change for Johnson brought Berwick another heat advantage over Little and Gould.

(2-4) (34-38)

Monarchs were now dependent on Carr and McKinna to salvage something. More problems as Carr 's bike failed on the line and Grieves shot out of the gate. While McKinna was able to get past Walsh it was yet another heat win for the Bandits.

(2-4) (36-42)

Dixon gated ahead of Scott and Meldrum passed Scott to put the Bandits 10 points up.

(37-47)

Grieves moved to 17 points with a win over Carr and with Dixon stretched the Berwick lead after a typically competitive Armadale last heat.

(2-4) (39-51)

Clearly if the Berwick top four hit form then Monarchs were in deep trouble. The fact that Meldrum chose tonight for his best Armadale show emphasized the superiority of the Bandits.

Peter Carr only dropped two points (to Grieves) apart from his engine failure. McKinna also dropped two points (to Dixon and Grieves). Kevin Little also only lost out to Grieves and Dixon. With Alfonso still coming to terms with Armadale, this was a really tough one. He did secure a point at the expense of Martin Dixon in heat 3 but struggled thereafter. He may fare better against the Glasgow second strings next week. While Campbell, Gould and Scott all scored points most of these were at the expense of Johnson and Meldrum.

James Grieves was virtually unstoppable dropping only one point in six rides. Walsh was steady without looking anything like the rider of three years back with Glasgow. Scott Robson's four rides yielded a useful 7+1. The real match winners were second strings Martin Dixon and Peter Scully and reserve David Meldrum who all weighed in with hefty scores.

Edinburgh can have few complaints. The play-offs are now looking an increasingly unlikely prospect for Edinburgh unless a double over Glasgow can be pulled out of the bag and the bonus point taken off Hull.

Man of the match: James Grieves for a 17 point haul

Most exciting rider: Peter Carr for a brilliant win from last place in heat 10.

John Lowe
 
 

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