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Edinburgh Ziebart Monarchs 12: Exeter Falcons 9 : Arena Essex Hammers 11: Reading Racers 16

Premier League Fours 1st Semi-Final

East of England Showground, Alwalton

Sunday 30^th August 1998

Reading and Edinburgh were obviously favourites but Arena Essex and Exeter certainly put up a great fight taking it to the last heat.

Heat 1: Michael Coles, Peter Carr, Colin White [62.9]

Carr gated marginally ahead of Mullett but the heat was stopped when Coles fell. With all four back, Coles gated to win. Dave Mullett trailed and pulled out on the last lap when well adrift.

(2-3-1-0)

Heat 2: Kenny McKinna, Petri Kokko, Jan Pedersen, Mark Simmons [64.4]

McKinna gated from trap 3 and stayed ahead of Kokko.

(5-3-2-2)

Heat 3: Lee Richardson, Kevin Little, Peter Jeffrey, Matt Read [64.2]

Kevin Little made the gate but Lee Richardson powered past him on the home straight.

(7-4-2-5)

Heat 4: Leigh Lanham, Frank Smart, Paul Clews, Marcus Andersson [64.4]

Lanham was first away followed by Clews. Frank Smart passed Clews to take second.

(7-6-5-6)

Heat 5: Petri Kokko, Frank Smart, Peter Carr [64.1]

Carr missed the start and while he passed Matt Read without difficulty he could not challenge Frank Smart. Petri Kokko won easily. Matt Read retired.

(8-8-5-9)

Heat 6: Lee Richardson, Jan Pedersen, Michael Coles, Blair Scott [64.0]

Edinburgh put in Blair Scott for the toiling Andersson. He made a fair start behind the fast gating Richardson and Pedersen. Michael Coles eventually passed Scott on the last lap.

(8-9-7-12)

Heat 7: Paul Clews, Colin White, Kevin Little, Mark Simmons [65.6]

Colin White made the gate with Little in last place. Paul Clews had a tremendous ride to pass White and clinch a final slot for Reading. Kevin Little passed Simmons to keep Edinburgh in contention.

(9-9-9-15)

Heat 8: Kenny McKinna, Leigh Lanham, Dave Mullett, Peter Jeffrey [64.7]

McKinna faced the daunting prospect of finishing ahead of Leigh Lanham (and also Peter Jeffrey) for Edinburgh to join Reading in the final. McKinna and Lanham were side by side around the first lap until the Monarchs' captain edged ahead to win.

(12-9-11-16)

Edinburgh Ziebart Monarchs
Peter Carr	2	1	3
Kenny McKinna	3	3	6
Kevin Little	2	1	3
Marcus Andersson	0		0
Blair Scott	0		0

Exeter Falcons
Frank Smart	2	2	4
Michael Coles	3	1	4
Mark Simmons	0	0	0
Peter Jeffrey	1	0	1
Roger Lobb	Did not ride

Arena Essex Hammers
Matt Read	0	R	0
Leigh Lanham	3	2	5
Coin White	1	2	3
Jan Pedersen	1	2	3
Gavin Hedge	Did not ride

Reading Racers
Petri Kokko	2	3	5
Lee Richardson	3	3	6
Paul Clews	1	3	4
Dave Mullett	R	1	1
Justin Elkins	Did not ride