Blair Scott who has probably had his best ever start to a season lines up against Berwick Bandits determined to erase memories of his poor show against Workington Comets last week. Blair was certainly not alone in having a be;low par performance last Friday. Blair found himself subjected to some flack from terrace critics, although the majority of the support remained behind him.
Blair feels that the abuse is somewhat unfair given his strong performances so far this season. The problem was down to a change in machinery that backfired:
"I am still trying to figure out what went wrong. I changed my bike and used a different one to what I've been used to. It didn't work. I had been on it previously and it was flying. I perservered with it, which was pretty stupid. The engine was flat, losing compression, and this certainly did not help."
"The track was also a bit squelchy. I was disappointed with my performance because I simply didn't have the speed to compete."
Blair gated well but was passed three times, twice by Barry Campbell and once by Brent Werner. All three passes could be traced to lack of speed. Without those lapses, Blair could have been looking at a respectable score of five paid six from four rides. That would have been more than acceptable given the high standard of the opposition and the fact that Blair was pulled out of what should have been his easiest ride in heat eight to make way for a tactical substition.
"A lot of supporters stuck by me, those who jeered, I didn't think it was very fair of tem. However it goes with the job."
Blair feels that Edinburgh can secure their first Premier National Trophy win over Berwick this week and do so by a margin sufficient to take the bonus point. Monarchs face a nine point deficit from the first leg at Shielfield. This will probably reqire Monarchs to hit the fifty point mark for the first time this season.
"Personally I just want to get a few points on the board to make up for last week. I don't want to take any flack for a second time!"