The away leg of Monarchs Cup Final against Arena Essex was postoned today after heavy rain today left the track waterlogged. Even though the weather brightened up by the afternoon, the track had absorbed so much water that it was never on to get it rideable by the evening. The car park and the surrounding area were under water to make matters worse. Alex Harkess commented:
"Their track was under water and unrideable even though there was a blue sky above. They attempted to pump the circuit clear of water but the rain thindered down again shortly afterwards and they were forced to give up. I would have preferred to have the second leg at home as was scheduled, because it's nice if your going to win a trophy to do it in front of your own fans."
Harkess said that the name of the game was now to pile up as many points so as to ease pressure for the second leg.
The cancellation came as something of a relief to many Monarchs supporters caught in traffic on the A74 near Gretna. This was caused by an accident three miles south of Gretna at 12.30pm and resulted in an horrendous tail-back that had still not fully cleared by 4.30pm.
The return leg has been fixed as Saturday 16th October. The reason for the delay is that the next two weekend are reserved for the Young Shield Playoff matches. Monarchs are due at Exeter a week on Monday and a possible fixture at Berwick the Saturday after or at Newport on the Sunday. The date selected is clear of Young Shield matches unless required to cover rainoffs.
The delay also increases to prospects of getting Stewart McDonald and Brian Turner back to fitness.