Reading Racers 42 : Edinburgh Ziebart Monarchs 48
Premiership Second Leg
Edinburgh win by 100 points to 79
Smallmead Stadium, Reading
Monday 30 March 1998
The weather was mild and dry and the track while slick on the inside had grip on the outside.
Dave Mullett returned after illness for Reading although reputedly far from 100% fit. Peter Carr was still out for Edinburgh and Reading's guest at Armadale, Jesper Olsen, switched camps to take the Monarchs' No 1 race jacket.
The question as to whether Edinburgh's 15 point lead from the first leg would prove enough was rendered academic by a solid performance against the slightly creaky League Champions and a six point win on the night.
Heat 1: Jesper Olsen, Dave Mullett, Justin Elkins, Paul Gould [62.6]
Jesper Olsen took everyone wide and went ahead with fit-again Mullet at the back. The home no 1 passed Paul Gould and partner Justin Elkins but didn’t threaten Olsen.
(3-3) (3-3)
Heat 2: Barry Campbell, Krister Marsh, Blair Scott, [63.4]
A fast gate for Barry Campbell who never looked back, with Blair Scott a steady third. Lee Driver retired with engine failure
(2-4) (5-7)
Heat 3: Petri Kokko, Robert Larsen, Kevin Little, Phil Morris [62.8]
Petri Kokko away but Robert Larsen and Kevin Little comfortably shared with no challenge from Morris.
(3-3) (8-10)
Heat 4: Kenny McKinna, Lee Richardson, Barry Campbell, Lee Driver [62.9]
Kenny McKinna and Barry Campbell went ahead, the captain built up a big lead. Lee Richardson took Barry on the outside, made some ground but it’s another heat advantage to Monarchs.
(2-4) (10-14)
Heat 5: Petri Kokko, Jesper Olsen, Paul Gould, Phil Morris [61.2]
Petri Kokko from Jesper Olsen, Paul Gould comfortably third ahead of Phil Morris who is causing some rumblings on the terraces with his form and apparently uncompetitive machinery.
(3-3) (13-17)
Heat 6: Dave Mullett, Kenny McKinna, Blair Scott, Justin Elkins [62.4]
Mullett gated and just held off a powerful challenge from Kenny McKinna who was using the grip to make up ground. A fine point for Blair Scott against Elkins.
(3-3) (16-20)
Heat 7: Robert Larsen, Kevin Little, Krister Marsh, Lee Richardson [63.5]
An amazing heat, Robert Larsen and Kevin Little smoothly away from the start, Lee Richardson can’t get out of last place!
(1-5) (17-25)
Heat 8: Paul Gould, Petri Kokko, Justin Elkins, Barry Campbell [63.3]
A fantastic heat. Petri Kokko in for Driver as a tactical substitute, gated ahead with Elkins. Paul Gould swept by Elkins and started reeling in the Finn with some extravagant outside sweeps. Closer and closer, but still a few yards down on the last tu rn. What a bend this was, as Paul hit the dirt perfectly and got the drive down the straight to squeeze between Kokko and the fence for the best win of his career.
(3-3) (20-28)
Heat 9: Petri Kokko, Blair Scott, Phil Morris [63.0]
Petri Kokko gated ahead of Kenny McKinna who was trying the same move as Paul Gould. It was working too, till Kokko swerved and knocked him into the fence, wrecking the footrest. The referee must have been unsighted. Blair Scott got second as Kenny pul led out, counting his toes.
(4-2) (24-30)
Heat 10: Dave Mullett, Kevin Little, Robert Larsen, Justin Elkins [62.3]
Mullett from the gate but Kevin Little and Robert Larsen share it.
(3-3) (27-33)
Heat 11: Jesper Olsen, Lee Richardson, Paul Gould, Krister Marsh [61.8]
Another fine win for Jesper Olsen, Paul Gould third behind Lee Richardson. Eight points up again.
(2-4) (29-37)
Heat 12: Petri Kokko, Dave Mullett, Kevin Little, Blair Scott [63.1]
Dave Mullett came in as a tactical substitute to join Kokko and this time the Racers are away for a 5-1, though Kevin Little chased hard.
(5-1) (34-38)
Heat 13: Kenny McKinna, Jesper Olsen, Dave Mullett, Lee Richardson [62.1]
Kenny McKinna was away from gate 4, Jesper Olsen tucked inside and the Mullett/ Richardson pairing made no impression.
(1-5) (35-43)
Heat 14: Lee Richardson, Robert Larsen, Barry Campbell, Lee Driver [62.2]
Racers brought in Richardson as a tactical substitute but had to give Driver his third ride here. Lee Richardson away, Robert Larsen and Barry Campbell ensured a shared heat and a win on the night.
(3-3) (38-46)
Heat 15: Dave Mullett, Kenny McKinna, Lee Richardson [62.2]
A tight first turn between McKinna, Olsen and Mullett resulted in Jesper losing a chain and Mullett going ahead. Richardson fell at the back but remounted for the point.
(4-2) (52-37)
|
Reading Racers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dave Mullett |
2 |
3 |
3 |
2* |
1 |
3 |
14+1 |
|
Justin Elkins |
1* |
0 |
1* |
0 |
|
|
2+2 |
|
Petri Kokko |
3 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
|
14 |
|
Phil Morris |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Lee Richardson |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
8 |
|
Krister Marsh |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Lee Driver |
E |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edinburgh Ziebart Monarchs |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
Jesper Olsen |
3 |
2 |
3 |
2* |
R |
|
10+1 |
|
Paul Gould |
0 |
1* |
3 |
1 |
|
|
5+1 |
|
Kevin Little |
1* |
2* |
2 |
1 |
|
|
6+2 |
|
Robert Larsen |
2 |
3 |
1* |
2 |
|
|
8+1 |
|
Kenny McKinna |
3 |
2 |
R |
3 |
2 |
|
10 |
|
Blair Scott |
1 |
1* |
2 |
0 |
|
|
4+1 |
|
Barry Campbell |
3 |
1 |
0 |
1* |
|
|
5+1 |
No weaknesses were apparent in the Edinburgh line-up with solid scoring all the way down the line. Paul Gould in particular showed the home riders how to use the grip on the outside of the track. Robert Larsen achieved his best score for Monarchs since his debut three seasons ago though solid gating and a riding mid track line. Jesper Olsen again excelled, this time for the Monarchs.
Only Dave Mullett and Petri Kokko really performed for Reading. Lee Richardson with one third and two last places cannot be happy about his form. Phil Morris appeared totally uncompetitive. Krister Marsh battled on but suffered from poor gating as did many of the Reading team.
Next meeting: Premier League Cup Qualifiers v Berwick home
John Lowe and Mike Hunter