Premier League
Lothian Arena, Armadale
Friday 4th June 1999
Edinburgh surged back to the top of the Premier League with a convincing win over what looked a strong Workington line-up well suited to Armadale. The magnitude of Monarchs’ victory was helped by some bizarre tactical decisions by the Workington team manager. The racing was interesting with the home riders generally using the outside line and the visitors attempting to exploit the inside.
Workington changed their line-up with the injured Geoff Powell coming back in at number 2 with rider replacement operating. Barry Campbell dropped to reserve and new signing Darren Groves came in at number 8. Monarchs were at full strength but Stewart McDonald and Blair Scott changed places because of the new averages in operation.
The evening was sunny and warm with some clouds. The track looked to be in fair condition given the amount of rain that has fallen recently. The crowd was big with a massive travelling support from Workington.
Gate position B was in used with Workington off 1 and 3 for the first heat after Carl Stonehewer won the toss.
Heat 1: Carl Stonehewer, James Grieves, Stewart McDonald, Darren Groves [57.3]
Workington used Darren Groves as rider replacement. Stonehewer gated from trap 1 and held of Grieves with McDonald third.
(3-3) (3-3)
Heat 2: Blair Scott, Barry Campbell, David McAllan, Wayne Broadhurst [59.9]
The Monarchs’ reserves gated but Campbell came back and passed McAllan and attempted to pressurize Scott. On the last lap Blair nearly lost control and Campbell had to take avoiding action, allowing McAllan through for second. Barry came strongly back and passed David on the last bend and winning a race for the line.
(4-2) (7-5)
Heat 3: Kevin Little, Ross Brady, Grant MacDonald, Peter Scully [59.1]
Little and Brady gated with MacDonald in pursuit. This led to a fascinating if rather hairy duel for second between Brady and MacDonald with neither looking comfortable.
(5-1) (12-6)
Heat 4: Peter Carr, Brent Werner, Blair Scott, Wayne Broadhurst [60.7]
Peter Carr won from the gate by a big margin. Brent Werner missed the start and chased Blair Scott all the way passing on the third bend of the last lap.
(4-2) (16-8)
Heat 5: Kevin Little, Ross Brady, Darren Groves [60.4]
Stonehewer made the gate and led all the way until he blew his engine on the third lap gifting another 5-1 to Little and Brady way ahead of rider replacement Darren Groves.
(5-1) (21-9)
Heat 6: James Grieves, Brent Werner, Stewart McDonald [58.5]
James Grieves was first away this time from Werner and McDonald. Barry Campbell tried to come from the back but fell, restarted and later retired.
(4-2) (25-11)
Heat 7: Peter Carr, Grant MacDonald, Peter Scully, David McAllan [57.4]
Carr won easily ahead of MacDonald and Scully with McAllan chasing hard.
(3-3) (28-14)
Heat 8: Stewart McDonald, Carl Stonehewer, Brent Werner, Blair Scott [58.9]
Workington went for broke and made a double tactical substitution bringing in Werner and Stonehewer for rider replacement and Wayne Broadhurst. This seemed rather rash and failed spectacularly as McDonald shot out of the gate. Worse still for Workington as Blair Scott blasted around the outside to pass Stonehewer by the third band. Scott did a great blocking job holding off Stonehewer and Werner for the best part of two laps allowing McDonald to build up a winning lead.
(3-3) (31-17)
Heat 9: Brent Werner, Kevin Little, Ross Brady, Barry Campbell [58.9]
Brent Werner made a great start and Little and Brady were never in contention.
(3-3) (34-20)
Heat 10: James Grieves, Grant MacDonald, Peter Scully [59.1]
James Grieves was always going to win this one but a promising battle for second was spoiled when Stewart McDonald retired with engine problems.
(3-3) (37-23)
Heat 11: Barry Campbell, Carl Stonehewer, David McAllan [59.7]
Peter Carr made a start followed by rider replacement Barry Campbell and Carl Stonehewer. David McAllan harried Stonehewer who was either short of speed or protecting Campbell’s back. The race changed dramatically when Carr stopped gifting a 5-1 to the Comets although McAllan tried his best to get past Stonehewer.
(1-5) (38-28)
Heat 12: Grant MacDonald, Blair Scott, Kevin Little, Darren Groves [59.2]
Inexplicably, Darren Groves was brought in as a tactical substitute for Barry Campbell. Not only did this deprive Campbell of the opportunity to follow up his heat 11 win, but it ensured that Wayne Broadhurst had to ride in heat 14. Groves fell at the back and restarted as MacDonald chased Little. The Monarchs’ captain also fell, restarting to take third.
(3-3) (41-31)
Heat 13: James Grieves, Brent Werner, Peter Carr, Carl Stonehewer [58.7]
Grieves and Carr made the gate only to be hauled back for a restart. The second time, Werner made the start followed by Grieves. Carr produced a determined ride to pass Stonehewer while Grieves finally slipped past Werner on the last bend.
(4-2) (45-33)
Heat 14: Grant MacDonald, Ross Brady, David McAllan, Wayne Broadhurst [58.9]
Grant MacDonald came in as a tactical substitute for Peter Scully. He produced his second heat win in a row ahead of Brady and McAllan.
(3-3) (48-36)
Heat 15: James Grieves, Kevin Little, Grant MacDonald, Brent Werner [58.8]
The nominated heat had a strange look with neither Peter Carr nor Carl Stonehewer eligible. Grieves and Little swept ahead at the start for an easy maximum.
(5-1) (53-37)
|
Edinburgh Monarchs |
|
|
|
||||
|
James Grieves |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
14 |
|
Stewart McDonald |
1* |
1 |
3 |
R |
|
|
5+1 |
|
Kevin Little |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1* |
2* |
|
11+2 |
|
Ross Brady |
2* |
2* |
1* |
2 |
|
|
7+3 |
|
Peter Carr |
3 |
3 |
R |
1 |
|
|
7 |
|
David McAllan |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1* |
|
|
2+1 |
|
Blair Scott |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Workington Comets |
|
|
|
||||
|
Carl Stonehewer |
3 |
R |
2 |
2* |
0 |
7+1 |
|
|
Geoff Powell |
Rider replacement |
|
|
(6) |
|||
|
Grant MacDonald |
1 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
12 |
|
Peter Scully |
0 |
1* |
1* |
|
|
|
2+2 |
|
Brent Werner |
2 |
2 |
1* |
3 |
2 |
0 |
10+1 |
|
Barry Campbell |
2 |
R |
0 |
3 |
|
|
5 |
|
Wayne Broadhurst |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
Darren Groves |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
|
|
1 |
Workington had obviously agreed to give number 8, Darren Groves three rides. This nullified that advantage of using rider replacement since, neither top scorer, Grant McDonald nor Peter Scully, had a rider replacement outing. Barry Campbell was replaced when he was on a high and also could not take a tactical substitute ride. Blowing their best tactical substitution options in heat 8 was described as ‘using a sledgehammer to crack a nut yet it failed spectacularly.
Peter Carr suffered an engine failure and then missed the restart of heat 13. James Grieves was immaculate after losing heat 1 to Stonehewer. Kevin Little was only beaten twice, once due to a fall.
All of the Monarchs team got amongst the points with Brady and McDonald impressive. Blair Scott did well at reserve but David McAllan was rather unlucky to only collect two points after some spirited riding from the back.
Stonehewer had an unhappy meeting after winning his first ride and appeared really down in a post match interview. Werner had another good meeting while MacDonald had arguably his best Armadale meeting to date. Barry Campbell and Peter Scully were starved of rides by the decision to use the number 8 three times. Broadhurst and Groves were never really on the pace.
Man of the match: James Grieves
Most exciting rider: David McAllan
Next meeting: v Berwick, Scottish Triangle, Shielfield Park,
John Lowe