Edinburgh put up a poor display at Peterborough where they failed to qualify for the Fours Final, finishing bottom in the first semi-final with only six points.
To be fair, the eight-heat semi-finals are a bit of a lottery. Last year, Edinburgh were nearly eliminated in the semi-finals but Kenny McKinna came good winning the final heat to edge out Arena Essex and Exeter. Reading ran away with the semi-final. In the final, Monarchs ended up second while Reading came nowhere.
This year with James Grieves was clearly not fit and toiled in the opening heat. A win from Kevin Little riding a Stuart Robson bike put Monarchs back into things but missed starts by Peter Carr and Ross Brady left them trailing. By the time Ross Brady missed the start in his second ride, the writing was on the wall. Kevin Little needed to win heat 6 but came in third leaving Monarchs dead in the water. James Grieves and Peter Carr both struggled in the final two heats and Edinburgh were out.
The Isle of Wight and Newport went through from the first semi-final and were joined by Sheffield and Arena Essex from the second semi-final. Sheffield ended up winners after overhauling early leaders Newport in the last four heats.
Monarchs director Alex Harkess attributed the Fours debacle to the efforts put in at Sheffield to get through to the cup final:
"We climbed a mountain to get through against Sheffield. I don't think our riders felt like climbing another one so soon. There is no crisis in the side but we require a little time to regroup and get our heads together for the tough matches coming up over the next two months. We are in two trophy finals and I believe we can win both."
Monarchs captain Kevin Little admitted that Edinburgh were not at the races:
"We just didn't seem interested. We were a bit jaded. These things happen. It was a bad day at the office if you like. We are going through some niggly problems right now. Some of the guys are having troubles with their engines. And James still isn't fully fit after complaining of chest pains."
Monarchs will hold an urgent team meeting prior to next Sunday's Premier League clash (and cup final rehearsal) with Arena Essex.