Premier League
Lothian Arena, Armadale
Sunday 5th September 1999
Edinburgh eased their way to an easy win over Cup Final opponents Arena Essex despite making a number of mistakes including a fall and a retirement by Justin Elkins, a tape exclusion for James Grieves, a two minute exclusion for Ross Brady and even a defeat for Peter Carr! Star of the show was reserve Brian Turner who was paid 12 points on his Armadale debut. Kevin Little had his best match for some weeks and dropped only one point.
Monarchs made two changes, including two at reserve with Brian Turner returning at number 6 in place of Jon Swales while Blair Scott was ruled out at the last minute and David McAllan came in. James Grieves returned at number 1 after recovering from his rib injuries. Arena Essex were at full strength.
The track was in good condition although several riders found it tricky with a number of falls.
Monarchs Captain Kevin Little lost the toss need you ask! Gate position B was in used with Edinburgh off 2 and 4 for the first heat.
Heat 1: James Grieves, Justin Elkins, Leigh Lanham, Gary Corbett [57.6]
James Grieves gated and was never going to be challenged. Justin Elkins missed the start from gate 4 but cut inside Lanham coming out of the second bend and edged into second place. Lanham harried him for three laps and appeared to have passed him on the last bend but Justin came back on the inside to take second place. Unfortunately, Elkins lost it just beyond the flag and fell as his bike careered on and hooked itself onto the first bend fence.
(5-1) (5-1)
Heat 2: Brian Turner, David McAllan, John Wainwright [59.5]
Turner gated but Matt Read fell on the second bend and was excluded. Read took no further part in the meeting. In the rerun, Turner was again first away with McAllan chasing Wainwright for second place. Eventually McAllan passed to secure a second maximum.
(5-1) (10-2)
Heat 3: Ross Brady, Kevin Little, Troy Pratt, Roger Lobb [58.9]
Ross Brady made the start and was backed up by Little for another maximum.
(5-1) (15-3)
Heat 4: Colin White, Peter Carr, David McAllan, John Wainwright [59.1]
John Wainwright replaced the injured Read. White and Wainwright gated but McAllan and Carr swept past Wainwright on the second bend. White rode a good race to deny Carr and join the select group to have beaten Peter at Armadale.
(3-3) (18-6)
Heat 5: Kevin Little, Gary Corbett, Leigh Lanham Brian Turner [58.2]
Ross Brady hit problems just before the start and was two minuted. Brian Turner came in but missed the start as Kevin Little swept ahead. Corbett made a fair start and Lanham backed him up.
(3-3) (21-9)
Heat 6: James Grieves, Colin White, Gary Corbett [59.2]
Arena used Gary Corbett as a tactical substitute for John Wainwright. Justin Elkins looked uncomfortable with his hand injury and suffered bike problems at the start and retired, taking no further part in the meeting. James Grieves swept ahead from the start to ensure a tied heat.
(3-3) (24-12)
Heat 7: Brian Turner, Peter Carr, Troy Pratt Roger Lobb [60.1]
Turner produced a blistering start and swept ahead. Carr stayed behind him to protect his back from Troy Pratt.
(5-1) (29-13)
Heat 8: Leigh Lanham, Brian Turner, David McAllan, Gary Corbett [Awarded]
Brian Turner came in for the injured Elkins while Leigh Lanham was a tactical substitute for injured Matt Read. Lanham made the gate but was hard pressed to keep Turner out. McAllan was holding third place when he lost control on the starting the last lap and Corbett hit him from behind taking his rear wheel away. The race was stopped and awarded with Corbett excluded.
(3-3) (32-16)
Heat 9: Colin White, Kevin Little, Ross Brady [59.8]
Brady and Little made fair starts but White produced a great outside sweep to lead by the third bend. Brady had a try at coming back before Little took over but White held on. Wainwright fell at the back and remounted but subsequently retired.
(3-3) (35-19)
Heat 10: Troy Pratt, Brian Turner, Roger Lobb, David McAllan [59.6]
Brian Turner came in for Elkins. James Grieves was then excluded for tape touching and McAllan came in. Turner was first away but Pratt had enough momentum from a fast start from the outside gate to pass on the back straight. Turner pursued him for the whole race. McAllan having once again missed the start chased Lobb and finally passed him on the last lap only for Lobb to come back on the last bend and win a race for the line.
(2-4) (37-23)
Heat 11: Peter Carr, Leigh Lanham, Gary Corbett, David McAllan [58.3]
McAllan replaced Turner for this heat. Carr won with ease but McAllan was stuck at the back behind Lanham who team rode with his partner Corbett before taking second place.
(3-3) (40-26)
Heat 12: Kevin Little, Colin White, Troy Pratt, Brian Turner [59.7]
Turner replaced McAllan here and Colin White came in as a tactical substitute for Wainwright. Little was first away once more and White and Pratt could do no more than keep Turner out of the points.
(3-3) (43-29)
Heat 13: James Grieves, Peter Carr, Colin White, Leigh Lanham [58.3]
Grieves gated with White putting pressure with a surge on the outside, Carr missed the start but cut inside and skinned both visitors down the back straight to lead by the third bend. Carr and Grieves team rode to another 5-1 wit Grieves taking the flag.
(5-1) (48-30)
Heat 14: Troy Pratt, Ross Brady, Brian Turner, Roger Lobb [59.8]
Troy Pratt came in as a tactical substitute for Read. Pratt made the start and wonhis second race ahead of Brady and Turner.
(3-3) (51-33)
Heat 15: Peter Carr, Kevin Little, Colin White, Troy Pratt [58.7]
Edinburgh went with Carr and Little while Arena chose White and Pratt. Carr made the start from gate 2 with White and Little in hot pursuit. Carr slid alarmingly on the home straight and White had to take evasive action only for Little to nip through for second.
(5-1) (56-34)
|
Edinburgh Monarchs |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
James Grieves |
3 |
3 |
T |
3 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
Justin Elkins |
2* |
R |
N |
|
|
|
2+1 |
|
|
Kevin Little |
2* |
3 |
2 |
3 |
2* |
|
|
12+2 |
|
Ross Brady |
3 |
M |
1* |
2 |
|
|
|
6+1 |
|
Peter Carr |
2 |
2* |
3 |
2* |
2* |
|
|
12+2 |
|
Brian Turner |
3 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
1* |
11+1 |
|
David McAllan |
2* |
1* |
1* |
0 |
0 |
|
|
4+3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arena Essex Hammers |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Leigh Lanham |
1 |
1* |
3 |
2 |
0 |
|
|
9 |
|
Gary Corbett |
0 |
2 |
1* |
X |
1* |
|
|
4+2 |
|
Troy Pratt |
1 |
1 |
3 |
1* |
3 |
0 |
|
9+1 |
|
Roger Lobb |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
Colin White |
3 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
12 |
|
John Wainwright |
1 |
0 |
R |
1 |
||||
|
Matt Read |
X |
N |
N |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Monarchs heat leaders were all in form only dropping two points between them both to Colin White. James Grieves also missed out due to a tape offence.
Justin Elkins had a great ride in heat 1 but had to withdraw with a hard injury after an abortive attempt in heat 6. Ross Brady was good value with a paid seven points from three rides. Brian Turner had a dream debut with two wins and was paid 12 points from 7 rides. He came up against tactical substitutes in three of his rides.Colin White and Troy Pratt produced typically solid Armadale performances although Leigh Lanham failed to score to his full potential. Gary Corbett had a fair Armadale debut while Armadale specialist Matt Read was injured in his first ride. Roger Lobb never got going and John Wainwright never looked like scoring.
Man of the match: Brian Turner
Most exciting rider: David McAllan
Next meeting: v Newport, Premier National Trophy, Armadale on Friday 10th September 1999
John Lowe