Monarchs put up a fighting performance before losing a last heat decider to Armadale specialists Newcastle Diamonds.
With Robert Eriksson still injured and replacement James Grieves failing to beat any visitor on the track apart from reserve Rob Grant, Monarchs were always going to have problems. Jan Andersen struggled somewhat on his return after injury looking far from match sharp and failed to win a race. This all put rather too much pressure on Peter Carr who fell twicee and was excluded both times, the second one in the last heat decider.
Apart from that it was an encouraging performance from Edinburgh with Ben Shields finally showing something near his true form and all thhe bottom end getting amongst the points.
Monarchs took an early lead with a 5-1 in the reserves race and extended this lead to six points in heat four. This lead was retained until Newcastle took a 5-1 in heat 10 and a 4-2 in heat 11 to square things. So it remained until the last heat when Peter Carr was excluded after trying to force his way past André Compton and Bjarne Pedersen on the third bend with all three hitting the deck. Jan Andersen gated in the re-run but was carved up by Compton on the fourt bend and forced to shut off and slipped to last.
Peter Carr took 9 from five rides, Jan Andersen 8 paid 9 also from five and Ben Shields 5 paid 8 from four. Christian Henry took 7 paid 9 from five and Blair Scott 6 paid 7 fromfour including a great heat 8 win over tactical substitute Jesper Olsen. Derek Sneddon score 4 points from three rides including another heat 2 win. Guest James Grieves too only 4 paid 5 from his four rides.
Monarchs will be hoping that Robert Eriksson will be back before long and that Jan Andersen will return to his earlier form soon as he moves up to heat leader. With the increased confidence in the bottom end, Monarchs shoold be winning matches soon.
Edinburgh will certainly not face any opposition as well equipped around Armadale as Newcastle are for a week or two. Maybe not until next month when the Diamonds will be back for a Cup match.
Monarchs now slip behind Sheffield and Workington in the Northern Group of the Premier National Trophy.