Glasgow Qfm Tigers 46: Edinburgh Century Mortgages Monarchs 47
Scottish Cup First Leg
Saracen Park, Ashfield
Sunday 3rd October 1999
Edinburgh won the first leg of the Scottish Cup by a surprisingly narrow margin of one point after dominating the meeting. The measure of Monarchs superiority was they eleven of the fifteen heats were won by visiting riders in the blue and gold. James Grieves won four, Peter Carr three, Ross Brady two and Justin Elkins and Blair Scott one each.
Glasgow stayed in contention thanks to skillful team management and the timely use of tactical substitutes including a heat 12 ‘golden double’ from Les Collins and Paul Bentley. Glasgow went into the heat 15 decider three points adrift and needing an unlikely 5-1 against the so far unbeaten Grieves and Carr. While Collins managed to pass Grieves on the line, Bentley was well adrift and Monarchs clinched their second Ashfield win of the season.
Edinburgh had David McAllan back at reserve in place of Brian Turner. Glasgow had Simon Stead in for Emiliano Sanchez who was riding on the continent.
The weather was fine and bright and the meeting escaped the heavy showers forecast. The track was in good condition and appeared to offer more on the inside line.
Monarchs Captain Kevin Little achieved a rare win of the toss Gate position B was in used with Glasgow off 2 and 4 for the first heat.
Heat 1: James Grieves, Les Collins, Will Beveridge, Justin Elkins [61.4]
James Grieves gated and held off Les Collins who was tight behind him for 4 laps. Justin Elkins made a terrible start but recovered to press Beveridge hard for third place.
(3-3) (3-3)
Heat 2: Blair Scott, Aiden Collins, Dean Felton, David McAllan [63.2]
Blair Scott came from behind to sweep around the outside of Aiden Collins and win by a very big margin. David McAllan missed the start and was stuck at the back.
(3-3) (6-6)
Heat 3: Paul Bentley, Kevin Little, Sean Courtney [62.5]
Bentley outgated Brady and Little. Brady continued to press hard taking a wide line and eventually overdid things on the last bend when he clipped the fourth bend fence gifting Glasgow a heat advantage.
(4-2) (10-8)
Heat 4: Peter Carr, Simon Stead, Aiden Collins [61.5]
Carr left the opposition for dead from the gate and Blair Scott passed Aiden Collins and tried to challenge Stead. Scott then fell on the last bend in exactly the same place as Brady in the previous heat.
(3-3) (13-11)
Heat 5: James Grieves, Paul Bentley, Justin Elkins, Sean Courtney [62.8]
This heat provided a second win for Grieves who outgating Bentley. Justin Elkins had a good ride after an indifferent start and took an easy third place.
(2-4) (15-15)
Heat 6: Peter Carr, Les Collins, David McAllan [61.6]
Will Beveridge was left stranded on the start line as Peter Carr swept from the gate to beat Les Collins. McAllan took the gifted third place to edge Edinburgh ahead.
(2-4) (17-19)
Heat 7: Ross Brady, Simon Stead, Kevin Little, Dean Felton [62.4]
Stead was first away from gate 1 but Ross Brady blasted around the outside to pass Stead on the fourth bend. Brady clipped the third bend fence but kept control and retained his lead. Kevin Little took third to double Monarchs’ lead.
(2-4) (19-23)
Heat 8: Justin Elkins, Aiden Collins, Blair Scott, Will Beveridge [61.3]
Justin Elkins made a lightening start and was followed by Aiden Collins and Blair Scott. It appeared that Scott was going to pass Collins and take second place but he was boxed in behind Elkins and Collins came back on the inside.
(2-4) (21-27)
Heat 9: Peter Carr, Paul Bentley, Sean Courtney, David McAllan [61.9]
Peter Carr took his third straight win as he headed Bentley and Courtney.
(3-3) (24-30)
Heat 10: Paul Bentley, Les Collins, Ross Brady, Kevin Little [62.2]
Glasgow brought in Paul Bentley as a tactical substitute for Beveridge. Ross Brady narrowly failed to beat Bentley from the start. Bentley then used his experience to block Brady to make him an easy target for Les Collins to pick off.
(5-1) (29-31)
Heat 11: James Grieves, Justin Elkins, Simon Stead, Dean Felton [63.6]
Monarchs wasted no time in hitting back to restore a six-point lead. Elkins made another electric start and was joined by Grieves for an easy maximum.
(1-5) (30-36)
Heat 12: Les Collins, Paul Bentley, Kevin Little, Blair Scott [63.7]
Edinburgh put in Blair Scott as a reserve replacement for McAllan. Glasgow sprung a ‘golden double’ with Les Collins replacing Aiden to join Bentley. Bentley gated but was forced to move things to stay ahead. Les Collins soon passed Scott but took until the last lap before he passed Little at the second attempt and had just enough time to pass the slowing Bentley and pick up maximum points.
(8-1) (38-37)
Heat 13: James Grieves, Peter Carr, Les Collins, Simon Stead [62.3]
Monarchs once more reacted positively and Grieves and Carr gated to secure another maximum.
(1-5) (39-43)
Heat 14: Ross Brady, Sean Courtney, Aiden Collins, Blair Scott [62.9]
Ross Brady gated and won by some margin. Blair Scott looking rather tentative after his heat 4 fall ran in another last.
(3-3) (42-45)
Heat 15: Les Collins, James Grieves, Paul Bentley, Peter Carr [62.8]
Glasgow won the toss for gate position and used Bentley and Collins against Grieves and Carr. James Grieves gated from Collins and Bentley. Peter Carr appeared content to play a waiting game with Grieves having done enough to secure the match. Les Collins chased Grieves all the way and finally drew level off the last bend and took a tight decision on the line.
(4-2) (46-47)
|
Glasgow Tigers |
|
|
|
|
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Les Collins |
2 |
2 |
2* |
6 |
1 |
3 |
|
16+1 |
|
|
Will Beveridge |
1* |
E |
0 |
|
|
|
|
1+1 |
|
|
Paul Bentley |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2* |
1 |
|
13+1 |
|
|
Sean Courtney |
1 |
0 |
1* |
2 |
|
|
|
4+1 |
|
|
Simon Stead |
2 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
||||
|
Dean Felton |
1* |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
1+1 |
|
|
Aiden Collins |
2 |
1* |
2 |
1* |
|
|
|
6+2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edinburgh Monarchs |
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
James Grieves |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
|
14 |
|
|
Justin Elkins |
0 |
1 |
3 |
2* |
|
|
|
6+1 |
|
|
Kevin Little |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
Ross Brady |
F |
3 |
1 |
3 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
Peter Carr |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2* |
0 |
|
|
11+1 |
|
|
David McAllan |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
Blair Scott |
3 |
F |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
4 |
|
This was probably Monarchs most convincing away match for over two months. It is no coincidence that this was the first time in weeks that Carr and Grieves have gone well together away. The Monarchs top two looked invincible until they both dropped points in heat 15. This was just as well because Kevin Little had another nightmare meeting. He was not making starts and again appeared slow.
Monarchs had a huge advantage at second string with Justin Elkins having his best meeting for Monarchs without the merest hint of an engine failure. Ross Brady also looked sharp and was unfortunate to fall in heat 3 when in a strong second place.
Blair Scott started well with a great win in heat 2. He looked uneasy after his fall in heat 5 and was beaten twice by Aiden Collins. David McAllan made a quiet comeback but was always on the pace although e failed to make a start.
Paul Bentley and Les Collins sustained Glasgow with some help from Aiden Collins and Simon Stead. Felton and Beveridge both had a poor meeting. Simon Stead did fairly well but did look a bit exposed at number 5 and had to face the in-form Carr and/or Grieves in three of his four rides.
Monarchs are certainly well placed to win ‘this’ Cup. The main problem may be finding a slot for the Armadale leg before the end of October.
Man of the match: Justin Elkins (Why not?)
Most exciting rider: Les Collins (Who else?)
Next meeting: v Exeter, Young Shield, County Ground on Monday 4th October 1999
John Lowe