Blair Scott was so dismayed by his performance at Newport in the Premier National Trophy Final that he has hidden his runners-up medal in a box drawer. Scott was particularly anxious to make amends in the Premier League Cup Final against Arena Essex and erase his Welsh nightmare are his single point score.
"I was abysmal. I was disappointed at losing the cup. I believed I would score six or seven, but it didn't go to plan on the day. The track was greasy and stick and nothing went well for me."
"In our defence, Newport were a team on top form from their heat leaders down to their reserves. We didn't hit them hard enough early on. I was expected to win the reserves' race in heat 2, but it didn't happen."
Blair has recieved a lot of flack this season. He found the going tough at number 2 early in the season. After first Ross Brady and later Stewart McDonald scored freely at number 7, Blair dropped down to reserve in June. Riding at number 7, boosted Blair's scoring at home but he still struggled away from home.
Although Blair was th last ever-present in the Monarchs sideuntil he missed out on the League match against Arena Essex, he has suffered his share of injuries. He had a bad fall against Glasgow when he collided with the start gate. His comeback at Newcastle turned sour when after winning heat 2, he carded five successive last places behind the likes of Jon Swales and Neil Painter. He recovered to take a second place in his last ride but by then the match was effectively lost. Blair was obviously far from fit and was stunned by criticism he received fro promoter John Campbell who described his performance as 'pathetic'. This did little for Scott's confidence.
"I think the criticism has been over the top. I've tried 100 per cent. If people knock you down, it does get to you eventually. However you just have to get out on te track and ride your hardest. I can take it."
As it happens, Blair has made double-figure contributions in earlier rounds of the cup with major scores in the quarter finals against Newport and in the semi-final against Sheffield. Without those invaluble points, Monarchs would certainly not have been in the final against Arena Essex. Blair acknowledged his contribution:
"I did reasonably well and it would be great if I could repeat my form against Arena. I will enter the matches in the frame of mind that I will score a few points. I never try and flop. I know within myslef what I have done. At least the supporters hve been behind me all the way."
Scott started the season as second string but has been unable to get out of the reserve spot since dropping down in June. For this, Monarchs should be eternally grateful. Had, for example, Stewart McDonald dropped to reserve and Blair moved up to second string, Monarchs would have been in deep trouble. With McDonald injured and Blair unable to take extra rides, Monarchs' season could well have been almost over by now.
"A couple of seasons ago I could go to any track in the country and be confident that I would be able to grab a few points. I can't explain why I haven't been able to achieve this so far this year. I wish I had made faster progress at the start of the season instead of halfway through. I would say that I'm a second string at number seven. I don't know if anyone else would agree."
Blair has distanced himself from rumours that he has asked for a transfer. He denied making such a request and stated that he would never ask for a transfer. This has not quelled speculation about his future with Monarchs.
"I haven't got a clue whether I'll be riding for Monarchs next year or not. But I need to be treated with a bit more respect and not taken advantage of. I've always been the little boy of Edinburgh speedway because I've always wanted to race for them. I'm Edinburgh through and through. In the management's eye, I'm a little boy and they take advantage of that."
Blair paid tribute to Edinburgh's Cup Final opponents Arena Essex for disposing of Swindon and then surprisingly Exeter Falcons in the semi-final.
"That was a bit of a surprise to a lot of people. The Arena track is so compact in comparison with Exeter's huge circuit. I don't think anyone thought Arena would get through against them over two legs."
Blair Scott numbers the Arena track as one of his favourites as do most of Edinburgh team. Howvever he hinted that Monarchs, in particular Peter Carr and Ross Brady, need to sharpen their gating on the slick Purfleet track.
"You have no idea how badly we want to win this trophy especially after losing to newport in the other final. It would be a tragedy if we failed to pick up anything for all our efforts this year."
Blair made a telling contribution in the first leg at Armadale with a paid 14 points from seven rides. Blair clinched the Cup Final against Oxford two years ago and it would be appropriate if Blair was to repeat thye trick at Arena.
Regardless of speculation, most of the supporers back him. On an average of around five and a half, Blair would be the first name on the bottom half of the team sheet for next year.