Edinburgh went down narrowly at Hull with Robert Eriksson's absence again being felt. Guest André Compton is a great racer but scored 6 points from four rides on a super-slick Hull track that would certainly have suited Eriksson's fast gating. Peter Carr was top man with 17 points from six rides missing out only in heat 15. Jan Andersen returned to form with 12 paid 13 from six rides.
Ben Shields with 3 paid 5 from four and Blair Scott with 1 from three provided limited support. Christian Henry took 2 from four rides and Derek Sneddon 1 paid 2 from three.
A double figure score that would have been expected from a fit Robert Eriksson could well have tipped the scales in Monarchs' favour but it was not to be.
Monarchs lost out to an opening heat 5-1 and were chasing the match from then on. Tactical substitute rides by Carr and Andersen kept Monarchs in contention. However an Edinburgh 4-2 in heat 13 cut the margin to four points and prevented Monarchs using a tactical substitute in heat 14 and with that Monarchs chance of getting a result went.
This defeat makes it less likely that Monarchs will be able to sustain their early challenge in the Premier National Trophy Northern Group. Monarchs have three away matches left and the next two are very tough at Sheffield and Workington followed by the short trip to Glasgow.
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