(Edinburgh won by 90 to 89 on aggregate)
Premier National Trophy: Semi-Final
Brough Park, Newcastle
Monday 26th July 1999
The battered and depleted Edinburgh team held off the challenge from Newcastle to secure a place in the Final of the Premier National Trophy after a thrilling encounter at Brough Park. Monarchs’ winning margin was a single point after Peter Carr defeated the previously unbeaten Robert Eriksson and David Walsh in a dramatic heat 15.
The meeting had been dominated by David Walsh and Robert Eriksson with Newcastle providing 11 heat winners, the Monarchs riders filled most of the minor placings to keep the match tight. Monarchs’ reserves scored consistently over their Newcastle counterparts apart from a mix up in heat 2. When Paul Gould ran out of rides the prospects of Newcastle winning a heat advantage was effectively limited to heats 13 and 14. Peter Carr came to the rescue in both securing Monarchs the aggregate win.
Monarchs were without virus victim Ross Brady and used rider replacement. James Grieves emerged somewhat battered from his man of the match performance at the Premier League Pairs match. Kevin Little was in even worse shape having withdrawn from the Pairs after three rides and suffering two falls and wrecking his bike. To make matters worse, after spending most of the day straightening his bike out, he was stuck in traffic and missed the pre-match parade only arriving in time for his first outing in heat 3. Peter Carr was back after recovering from the thigh strain that caused his withdrawal from the Pairs.
To be fair, Newcastle were not without problems with Robert Eriksson and Jesper Olsen suffering a battering at Newport. Derrol Keats was out and rider replacement was used. With both teams using rider replacement, two local juniors came in at number 8, Jamie Swales for Newcastle and Paul Weatherbourne for Edinburgh.
The track caused no real problems apart from a nasty fall by Steven Jones but had little grip and passing was generally limited to battles between the second strings and reserves. The crowd was probably the largest of the season .
Gate position B was used with Newcastle off gates 2 and 4 in heat 1.
Heat 1: Robert Eriksson, James Grieves, Paul Gould, Stewart McDonald [64.8]
Robert Eriksson gated and held off Grieves without problems. Stewart McDonald was passed by Paul Gould on the first lap.
(4-2) (4-2)
Heat 2: Mark Blackwell, Blair Scott, Steven Jones, James Birkinshaw [68.1]
Birkinshaw and Scott gated but hit disaster on the second bend when James’s bike seemed to die and Blair was obstructed thus allowing Blackwell and Jones through. While Scott was able to pass Jones he couldn’t get near Blackwell who secured his customary heat 2 win. After 2 heats, Monarchs overall lead was down to one point.
(4-2) (8-4)
Heat 3: David Walsh, Kevin Little, Stewart McDonald, Paul Gould [65.7]
Paul Gould and Stewart McDonald were in as rider replacement. David Walsh gated and won while Stewart McDonald repaid the complement on Gould by passing him to tie the heat.
(3-3) (11-7)
Heat 4: Peter Carr, Jesper Olsen, Blair Scott, Steven Jones [64.3]
Carr produced a fast start to head Olsen and held on despite pressure. Blair Scott easily beat Steven Jones to reduce the margin.
(2-4) (13-11)
Heat 5: David Walsh, James Grieves, Blair Scott, Mark Blackwell [65.0]
Another win for Walsh another shared heat as Scott got the better of rider replacement Blackwell.
(3-3) (16-14)
Heat 6: Robert Eriksson, Peter Carr, Paul Gould James Birkinshaw [64.7]
Eriksson outgated Carr and secured his second win. Birkinshaw lifted at the start but rode well pushing Gould all the way but missing out on a dash for the line.
(4-2) (20-16)
Heat 7: Kevin Little, Jesper Olsen, James Birkinshaw, Mark Blackwell [65.3]
Kevin Little gated and held on to win, despite a ferocious onslaught from Jesper Olsen. Rider replacement James Birkinshaw easily beat his former Workington team mate Mark Blackwell.
(2-4) (22-20)
Heat 8: Paul Gould, Stewart McDonald, Blair Scott [Awarded]
McDonald gated but Paul Gould passed on the home straight after tracking him for a couple of laps. Blair Scott was secure in third when Steven Jones lifted on the home straight and ploughed through the first bend fence and was lucking to escape serious injury. The race was stopped with Jones excluded and awarded.
(3-3) (25-23)
Heat 9: David Walsh, Peter Carr, James Birkinshaw, Mark Blackwell [65.5]
Walsh secured his third win over Carr but Birkinshaw took second from rider replacement Mark Blackwell.
(3-3) (28-26)
Heat 10: Robert Eriksson, Kevin Little, Paul Gould, Blair Scott [65.9]
Eriksson won from Little while Gould came from behind to pass Blair Scott and reduce the Edinburgh lead to one point.
(4-2) (32-28)
Heat 11: James Grieves, Jesper Olsen, Stewart McDonald, Mark Blackwell [65.6]
James Grieves finally secured a heat win over Jesper Olsen with Stewart McDonald beating Mark Blackwell to restore Monarchs a three-point lead.
(2-4) (34-32)
Heat 12: David Walsh, Kevin Little, James Birkinshaw, Mark Blackwell [65.6]
The pattern was repeated with David Walsh winning from Kevin Little and James Birkinshaw beating reserve replacement Mark Blackwell.
(3-3) (37-35)
Heat 13: Robert Eriksson, Peter Carr, Jesper Olsen, James Grieves [65.6]
Carr was quick away but Eriksson edged ahead on the back straight. Olsen tried everything he knew to pass Carr. Eriksson slowed down to try and assist his partner and was very nearly caught on the line by Carr as the three crossed the line in a blanket finish. With Grieves stuck at the back the lead was down to one point.
(4-2) (41-37)
Heat 14: David Walsh, Kevin Little, Blair Scott, Mark Blackwell [65.6]
Another predictable heat with rider replacement Walsh securing his fifth straight win over Monarchs rider replacement Kevin Little. Blair Scott took third over Mark Blackwell out for the fourth time in six heats.
(3-3) (44-40)
Heat 15: Peter Carr, Robert Eriksson, David Walsh, James Grieves [64.3]
The omens did not look good for Monarchs. Newcastle needing a 4-2 to go through had the 100% riders David Walsh and Robert Eriksson out against Peter Carr and James Grieves with only one win each. Monarchs were on the inside gates. However, come the man come the hour. Peter Carr blasted away from gate 3 to leave Eriksson and Walsh standing. Eriksson made no real attempt to pass Carr and concentrated on team riding with Walsh to keep Grieves at the back and hope that misfortune would befall Carr.
(3-3) (47-43)
|
Newcastle Diamonds |
|
|
|
||||
|
Robert Eriksson |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
14 |
|
Paul Gould |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
6 |
|
|
David Walsh |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
1* |
16+1 |
|
Derrol Keats |
Rider replacement |
|
(3) |
||||
|
Jesper Olsen |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
7 |
|
Mark Blackwell |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
Steven Jones |
1 |
0 |
X |
|
1 |
||
|
Jamie Swales |
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edinburgh Monarchs |
|
|
|
||||
|
James Grieves |
2 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
|
|
Stewart McDonald |
0 |
1* |
1* |
2 |
1 |
|
5+2 |
|
Kevin Little |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
11 |
|
Ross Brady |
Rider replacement |
|
(4+1) |
||||
|
Peter Carr |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
12 |
|
|
James Birkinshaw |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1* |
1* |
|
3+1 |
|
Blair Scott |
2 |
1 |
1* |
0 |
1* |
|
5+2 |
|
Paul Weatherbourne |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Monarchs tactics appeared to be based on containment. Whenever a home rider gated, rather than risk a five-one by heroics around the boards they generally tried to secure the minor points. James Grieves was having problems getting his bike to go and has a disappointing meeting. Kevin Little was steady despite his misfortunes. Peter Carr came up with the win when it really mattered.
Stewart McDonald did his job well but will be unhappy at being passed twice by Paul Gould. Monarchs reserve had a stranglehold over Jones and Blackwell leaving aside their mix-up in heat 2. James Birkinshaw had his best match to date and was unlucky to score only three points. Rider replacement for Ross Brady produced four points.
Robert Eriksson and David Walsh excelled on a track obviously to their liking. Jesper Olsen failed to make a single start and found unsufficient grip on the track to pass.
Gould was in fine form but the Newcastle reserves struggled after a good heat 2 advantage.
The match was close on aggregate throughout. The lead for Monarchs was between one and three points for most of the time and never more than five points. No tactical substitutes were used. The fixture was played in a great spirit throughout.
Man of the match: Peter Carr for producing the win when it really mattered
Most exciting rider: Paul Gould for providing most of the passing
Next meeting: v Scottish Open, Armadale on Friday 30th July 1999
John Lowe