Edinburgh's grip on the Premier League Cup was weakened by a home leg defeat by Armadale specialists Workington by 46 points to 44 on Friday. Edinburgh willl need a two point win in the second leg at Derwent Park to even force a replay of the tie.
On a warm and sunny Armadale, the Edinburgh heat leaders were consistently outgated by the visiting top four. Indeed Carl Stonehewer, Brent Werner, Mick Powell and Peter Karlsson were only twice beaten out from the traps by a Monarch's rider in 18 rides. Robert Eriksson beat Mick Powell away in heat 13 and Brent Werner in heat 14.
Against opposition of such quality, Monarchs were always struggling to come from the back. The Monarchs' reserves did their bit by outclassing the stand-in Workington reserve pairing but it was not enough to overcome the problems at the top end.
Monarchs took advantage of the Cup rules to put Peter Carr at number 4. This was presumably designed to counter Brent Werner and a possible tactical substitute in heat 14 but backfired when it was Edinburgh who had to use a tactical substitute in the penultimate heat.
Robert Eriksson's win as a tactical substitute in heat 14 was the first race win by an Edinburgh heat leader. Eriksson scored 11 points from six rides, Carr scored 12 plus 1 from five rides. Ross Brady and Kevin Little only scored 3 points from four rides each. Blair Scott took a healthy 5 paid 7 from four rides. Will Beveridge took 4 points from three rides. The impressive Christian Henry had his best pay day to date with 6 paid 10 from 4 rides.
Monarchs have it all to do at Derweent Park on Saturday but will ceratinly not be giving up having come close to a League win there a few weeks back. If Workington are complacent, this may help.
Exeter are already through to the semi-finals. They seem likely to be joined by Stoke and the winner of the 'too close to call' Berwick/Swindon tie.