Premier League
Derwent Park, Workington
Saturday 15th May 1999
Edinburgh edged out the home team in a characteristic nail biter at Derwent Park. This followed an earlier win in the Spring Trophy in March. With Edinburgh’s previous match winners, Ross Brady and Blair Scott, both slightly subdued it was down to consistent point scoring by the Edinburgh heat leaders and a great paid 13 by reserve Stewart McDonald.
The match was poised throughout with the home team enjoying a one-point lead for much of the meeting. Edinburgh picked up a heat advantage in heat 11 to take the lead and followed this up with a five-one in heat 12 to give them a match-winning margin.
Workington were slightly nearer full strength than before. New signing Wayne Broadhurst came in at second string in place of the injured Geoff Powell. James Birkinshaw, out for around six weeks following a skin graft, was replaced at reserve by Gary Phelps. Peter Scully, who has missed much of the season was riding at number 4. Edinburgh were at full strength.
Carl Stonehewer won the toss and opted for Gate position A with Edinburgh off 2 and 4 for the first heat.
Heat 1: Carl Stonehewer, James Grieves, Blair Scott, Wayne Broadhurst [70.3]
Stonehewer edged out Grieves from the start to win easily as Blair Scott got the better of Broadhurst.
(3-3) (3-3)
Heat 2: Stewart McDonald, Mark Blackwell [73.4]
David McAllan made the start while Stewart McDonald cut under Phelps on the first bend to take second place. Phelps fell at the first bend and the race was stopped. All four were invited back for the rerun but Phelps was two minuted. McAllan again made the gate from Blackwell but McDonald blasted through into second place as McAllan stopped when well ahead.
(2-3) (5-6)
Heat 3: Peter Scully, Kevin Little, Grant MacDonald, Ross Brady [70.2]
Peter Scully suffered engine problems at the start and Carl Stonehewer’s second bike was brought out in the nick of time. Kevin Little made the start with a real battle for second place. Ross Brady appeared to be hit and dropped back. Peter Scully obviously enjoying riding his borrowed bike surged after Little and swept past to the delight of the home crowd. MacDonald easily stayed ahead of Brady to edge the Comets in front.
(4-2) (9-8)
Heat 4: Brent Werner, Peter Carr, Stewart McDonald [Awarded]
Brent Werner made the gate from Carr while McDonald made a dreadful start and had some margin to pull back on Phelps. Carr remained glued to Werner’s rear wheel as McDonald tried to get past the erratic Phelps. On the third lap Phelps nearly lost it impeding McDonald. Both riders recovered and got going when, for some reason, the race was stopped and awarded with Phelps disqualified. This was unfortunate as Carr appeared poised to have a go at Werner on the last lap.
(3-3) (12-11)
Heat 5: James Grieves, Peter Scully, Grant MacDonald, Blair Scott [69.5]
Scully was again out on Stonehewer machinery but was outgated by James Grieves with MacDonald third. This position was held.
(3-3) (15-14)
Heat 6: Carl Stonehewer, Peter Carr, Wayne Broadhurst, David McAllan [68.5]
Stonehewer and Carr were side by side for much of the first lap until Stonehewer edged ahead on the third bend to win. Broadhurst had a good ride to stretch the Comet’s lead.
(4-2) (19-16)
Heat 7: Kevin Little, Brent Werner, Ross Brady, Mark Blackwell [70.3]
This was a cracking race in which Kevin Little held off Brent Werner. Ross Brady picked up third to close the gap to 1 point.
(2-4) (21-20)
Heat 8: Wayne Broadhurst, Stewart McDonald, Blair Scott, Mark Blackwell [71.8]
Gary Phelps was two minuted after suffering more problems and was replaced by Blackwell. Wayne Broadhurst became an instant hero with the home crowd after an excellent heat win to retain the narrow lead.
(3-3) (24-23)
Heat 9: Peter Carr, Peter Scully, Grant MacDonald, David McAllan [68.8]
This was another predictable tied heat with Peter Carr gaining his first win ahead of Scull and MacDonald.
(3-3) (27-26)
Heat 10: Carl Stonehewer, Kevin Little, Ross Brady, Wayne Broadhurst [70.6]
Kevin Little was first away but Stonehewer wasted little time to sweep past and win. Ross Brady took an important third place.
(3-3) (30-29)
Heat 11: James Grieves, Brent Werner, Stewart McDonald, Gary Phelps [70.0]
Gary Phelps came in for Mark Blackwell and Stewart McDonald replaced Blair Scott. This heat provided the breakthrough for Monarchs as Grieves passed Werner on the first lap and McDonald took third.
(2-4) (32-33)
Heat 12: Kevin Little, Stewart McDonald, Gary Phelps [70.4]
Grant MacDonald’s bike almost died at the start as Little and McDonald rocketed away. Grant pulled out later on the first lap leaving Monarchs to take a five point lead.
(1-5) (33-38)
Heat 13: Carl Stonehewer, Peter Carr, Brent Werner, James Grieves [69.9]
This heat offered interesting tactical possibilities with a 4-2 win being the nightmare scenario that would enable the Comets to spring a golden double tactical in heat 14 with Stonehewer joining Scully with a good prospect of an 8-1 that would tie things up. I don’t think this even occurred to the four riders who served up a great heat. Stonehewer had to contend with Peter Carr breathing down his neck while Grieves in third place was fighting to hold off Werner. On the last bend, Werner finally picked up enough speed to pass Grieves just before the line.
(4-2) (37-40)
Heat 14: Peter Scully, Ross Brady, Stewart McDonald, Mark Blackwell [71.1]
The match was nicely poised going into this heat. Peter Scully again suffered more problems with his bike but the Stonehewer steed was again brought out. Scully lifted at the start allowing Brady and McDonald to take a big lead. Scully seemed unworried by this as he reeled in first McDonald and then Brady to take a great win and set up a last heat decider.
(3-3) (40-43)
Heat 15: Carl Stonehewer, Peter Carr, James Grieves, Peter Scully [69.7]
Workington went with Stonehewer and Scully while Edinburgh used Carr and Grieves. This was surprising since Grieves was not eligible as Edinburgh’s top three scorers were McDonald, Carr and Little. The referee missed this one. Workington won the toss for gate positions and took 1 and 3. Stonehewer gated but Carr and Grieves took the minor places to secure the win.
(3-3) (43-46)
|
Workington Comets |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Carl Stonehewer |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
15 |
|
|
Wayne Broadhurst |
0 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Grant MacDonald |
1 |
1* |
1* |
R |
|
|
3+2 |
|
|
Peter Scully |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
|
|
10 |
|
Brent Werner |
3 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
Mark Blackwell |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Gary Phelps |
M |
X |
M |
0 |
1 |
1 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edinburgh Monarchs |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
James Grieves |
2 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
1* |
|
|
9+1 |
|
Blair Scott |
1* |
0 |
1* |
|
|
|
2+2 |
|
|
Kevin Little |
2 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
|
|
10 |
|
|
Ross Brady |
0 |
1 |
1* |
2 |
|
|
|
4+1 |
|
Peter Carr |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
11 |
|
David McAllan |
R |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
Stewart McDonald |
3 |
1* |
2 |
1 |
2* |
1* |
|
10+3 |
A real team effort secured the win for Monarchs. Workington riders took nine of the fifteen heat winners but Monarchs took enough of the minor placings to take the points.
The three Monarchs heat leaders all did well although they came nowhere near beating Stonehewer. The Edinburgh second strings were rather subdued but picked up critical points. David McAllan was unlucky to break down when well ahead in heat 2. Stewart McDonald is now back to his best form and provided the match-winning performance.
Carl Stonehewer is still dominant at Derwent Park. He was given some support by Brent Werner. Grant MacDonald had something of a nightmare and never got going. Fortunately for the home side Peter Scully turned in a great performance from second string. Wayne Broadhurst looked a useful acquisition. Workington should have a fair side when Geoff Powell returns.
Man of the match: Carl Stonehewer.
Most exciting rider: Peter Scully
Next meeting: v Newcastle, Premier League Cup, Armadale, Friday 21st May 1999
John Lowe