Edinburgh were robbed of victory by a diabolical refereeing decision from Colin Reeve in a last heat decider at Loomer Road this afternoon.
Edinburgh had closed the gap to three points following a heat 14 'golden double' from Robert Eriksson. With Monarchs needing a 5-1 to win the meeting, Peter Carr and Robert Eriksson were heading for for just that with passing a remote possibility on the slick track. Then David Walsh fell at the back and stopped the race. Instead of awarding the race, referee Colin Reeve went for a re-run. Needless to say on the re-run, guest Paul Thorp split the Monarchs pair to give a win to Stoke.
Robert Eriksson top scored for Monarchs with 16 points from six rides including the golden double. Peter Carr scored 14 paid 15 from six. Ross Brady with 5 paid 6 from 4 and Christian Henry with 6 paid 7 from four provided most support. Will Beveridge suffered a heat 2 two minute exclusion and scored 2 paid 3 throm three rides. Blair Scott picked up 1 paid 2 from 3. Kevin Little had another dire meeting with 2 paid 3 points from four rides.
Stoke were without captain Paul Pickering and the 'permanently injured' Neville Tatum. Paul Thorp came in at number 5 and rider replacement was used at number 1. Thorp top scored for Stoke with 15 points fron six rides. David Walsh scored 11 paid 12 from six including his heat 15 'fall'. Tony Atkin scored 9 paid 10 from five and Mark Burrows picked up 6 paid 9 from five. Reserves Wayne Broadhurst scored 5 from four rides and James Mann 1 point from four.
Monarchs should at least take the bonus point in two weeks time when Stoke visit Armadale after pushing things so close at Loomer Road.
Current Premier League results and tables are as follows:
Monarchs remain in fourth place in the table after this result but Hull are poised to move ahead with an extra two home games to play.