Edinburgh hit back to beat a depleted Sheffield team and take the bonus point. However it was far from a convincing performance by Monarchs against a team that should have been beaten by a bigger margin.
Sheffield already had a long tail with took rookie three point reserves and Armadale disaster Scot Smith at second string. However they were rocked by the absence of Armadale specialist Robbire Kessler following an injury picked up at Newcastle earlier in the week. The use of rider replacement left Sheffield with basically a two-man team. The whole Sheffield team battled hard often for no reward. Howver they had no answer to Peter Carr and a returning Robert Eriksson.
Edinburgh took only four heats to wipe out the Sheffield lead from Thursday night. After that Sheffield dug deep and using every tactical move in the book managed to contain Edinburgh. However once Sheffield ran out of tactical options, Monarchs finished the job.
Robert Eriksson came back at number five to take some pressure off and dropped only one point to Simon Stead in his four rides. He was not risked in heat 15 with the match secure and the bonus point all but won. Peter Carr was never threatened on his way to a five rider full maximum. Jan Andersen looked a bit exposed at number one despite a good heat one win. He was often vulnerable from behind but was only beaten by Wilson and Stead.
The rest of the team all picked up points but rarely troubled the Sheffield top-two apart from Blair Scott's defeat of Sean Wilson in the opening heat. Ben Shields suffered tape exclusion and a fall in his first two rides.
Simon Stead and Sean Wilson each took seven rides and scored all but six of the Tigers' 36 points. Of the Sheffield lower orders, only Adam Allott made much impression. Scott Smith, Lee Hodgson and Andrew Moore never gave up but picked up one gifted point between them.
This win revives Monarchs hopes in the Premier National Trophy. Edinburgh have moved clear of the pack chasing Workington. Another away win is probably needed to keep Monarchs in contention. Results and tables are given below: