Edinburgh restricted Sheffield to an eleven-point lead in the first leg of the Premiership. Last season, Monarchs lost by 30 points at Owlerton in the Premier League and by 20 points in the Premier League Cup. Edinburgh won the two home matches by 26 points and 22 points respectively. This size of the margin will give some encouragement to Monarchs for the return leg tomorrow.
Edinburgh had another disatrous start and were 10-1 down afer two heats. They managed to claw that lead back over the next 12 heats to make it 45-38 after 14 heats only to lose a 5-1 in the final heat.
It should come as no surprise that Peter Carr top-scored for Edinburgh at Sheffield with 14 points paid 15 from six rides. Not only is he an acknowledged specialist on the Owlerton track but he has been in sparkling form this season and prior to the Owlerton match has only dropped points due shedding a chain at Armadale. Carr was backed up by Blair Scott and Robert Eriksson with 8 points each and by Ross Brady with 6 points.
This was expected to be a tough match given the home track dominance of the top Sheffield riders. It was also expected to have an 'edge'. Carr commented prior to the match:
"Sheffield have assembled another good team this year. They have never forgiven us for elbowing them out of the Knockout Cup which we went on to win. I haven't given them much thought but it's always been tough down there. As a team we have never been able to get to grips with their big fast track."
"We would hope to keep the scores reasonably close to give us a chance in the second leg at home on Friday."
Further details will be posted when available.