Edinburgh's four match unbeaten record came to an end at Brough Park. As if it wasn't bad enough to have Robert Eriksson out injured, Ben Shields and Blair Scott just back after injury, and Christian Henry out, Monarchs lost Jan Andersen after two rides with a twisted ankle. Jan had retired with engine problems in his first ride and then fell in his second bringing down partner Ben Shields in the process. Jan was excluded and retired from the meeting as he was taken away in the ambulance.
With David Walsh in for Eriksson and Rory Schlein in for Henry, Monarchs found the going tough without Andersen. The track had water lying on the inside line and there were a number of fallers including Jesper Olsen, Ben Shields, Derek Sneddon as fell as Andersen. The weather deteriorated and the match was abandoned after 12 heats with Monarchs 44 points to 27 down at the time. The result stands.
The abandonment probably came at the wrong time for Monarchs. Peter Carr had won his three rides and was likely to be out in the last three with a tactical substitution avilable to cover Jan Andersen's ride in heat 14. David Walsh with two wins from four rides was also likely to be in heat 13 and 15. Edinburgh will probably have fancied their chances of pegging back the 17 point Newcasle lead. They now face a daunting task to chase the bonus point in the return on Friday.
Monarchs won five of the twelve heats but had 11 non-scoring rides including eight fourh places, two exclusions and an engine failure. Monarchs only secured one heat advantage when tactical substitute David Walsh and Blair Scott took a 5-1 in heat eight. Five heats were shared and Newcastle managed three 5-1 heat advantages, one 5-0, and two 4-2 heat wins.
Peter Carr kept up his blistering start to the season with this third maximum in five meetings. David Walsh secured a creditable 9 points from four rides. Blair Scott weighed in with 4 paid 5 from five rides. Ben Shields scored two points from four rides and Derek Sneddon had 1 paid 2 from 3 rides. Jan Andersen failed to score from two rides.
If Monarchs injury crisis continues they face problems to put out a competitive team on Friday. Arena Essex, Reading, Sheffield, Berwick, Workington and Stoke are all in action next Friday as it a public holiday. That leaves only Glasgow, Hull, Isle of Wight, Exeter, Trelawny, Newport, and Swindon to select guests.
Newcastle will represent formidable opposition to Edinburgh at Armadale on Friday as their teaam is largely composed of Armadale specialists and former Monarchs. They would stretch a full strength Monarchs side.
Edinburgh will be hoping to have Jan Andersen, Christian Henry and possibly Robert Eriksson back in action for the match on Friday.
Monarchs remain now three points clear at the top of the Northern Group of the Premier National Trophy.