Monarchs suffered a blow when Robert Eriksson was injured in a bad crash in heat one of the meeting against Stoke at Armadale. With Ben Shields a victim of his crash from last week, Monarchs were already operating rider replacement.

Robert was rounding Paul Pickering on the first bend when e either hit a soft spot or shed a chain. Robert's bike somersaulted and he collected the other three riders. Both Robert and Paul were injured although Robert's injuries seemed to be the more serious.

Paul was up after being trapped under the fence but later collapsed in the pits and was transfered to an ambulance. Robert was taken to St. Johns' Hospital in Livingston. Nothing appeared to be broken on initial inspection but he was kept in overnight for observation.

In the re-run, Blair Scott was brought down by reserve substitute Neil Painter in exactly the same place. Blair recovered to win the heat at the third attempt.

News on Robert's condition will be posted on these pages when available. Monarchs will presumably be looking for a guest for the return match at Stoke on Saturday.