Edinburgh Monarchs 48: Glasgow Tigers 41
Premier National Trophy
Lothian Arena, Armadale
Friday 5th May 2000
Edinburgh edged to a win over Glasgow after a last heat decider produced a home 5-1. Such was the dominance of Peter Carr and Robert Eriksson that the result was never in doubt despite the apparent closeness of the scoreline.
Edinburgh did have Ross Brady in the side despite suggestions that he would miss the match with his recurring toe injuries. Perhaps mindful of Brady's suspect fitness, Peter Carr was switched back to number 3 to partner Ross while Kevin Little switched to number 5. Brian Turner was making his final appearance for Monarchs. Glasgow had Simon Stead guesting for James Grieves and James Birkinshaw in for Scott Courtney.
The weather was dry although it was becoming cold as the meeting started.
Monarchs Captain Peter Carr won the toss and it was announced that Peter had selected gate position B. When the riders came out, in fact gate position A was in used with Glasgow off 2 and 4 for the first heat.
Heat 1: Robert Eriksson, Sean Courtney, Blair Scott [58.3]
Robert Eriksson made the gate from trap one followed by Simon Stead. Blair Scott tried an big one around the outside to attempt a pass Stead. He ran too wide on the second bend and ended up last. Simon Stead stopped after shedding a chain when second.
(4-2) (4-2)
Heat 2: Aidan Collins, Brian Turner, James Birkinshaw [59.5]
Aidan Collins made a start while Christian Henry tried the same move as Blair Scott with the same outcome! Henry then retired with engine failure. Brian Turner produced a determined ride to stay ahead of Birkinshaw.
(2-4) (6-6)
Heat 3: Peter Carr, Richard Juul, Ross Brady, Emiliano Sanchez [58.3]
Carr and Brady went ahead but Juul soon passed Brady. The remainder of the interest was centred on attempts by Sanchez to pass Brady. On the last lap Sanchez seemed to have forced his way inside Brady but Ross produced a surge off the last bend to take third.
(4-2) (10-8)
Heat 4: Les Collins, Kevin Little [58.1]
Kevin Little and Christian Henry were first away. Les Collins took around one lap to pass Henry. On the back straight of the second lap, Henry took a wrong line allowing Birkinshaw to catch up. Birkinshaw tried an inside pass on the third bend but Henry appeared to be holding on before Birkinshaw took him into the fence. Birkinshaw was excluded from the rerun. This time Les Collins made the start and Kevin Little on Peter Carr's bike could make no impact. Henry stopped once more.
(2-3) (12-11)
Heat 5: Peter Carr, Ross Brady, Sean Courtney [59.3]
Carr and Brady were first away and so it remained after Simon Stead packed up when in last place.
(5-1) (17-12)
Heat 6: Robert Eriksson, Les Collins, Aidan Collins, Blair Scott [59.3]
Les Collins surprisingly outgated Robert Eriksson but was passed on the outside off the second bend of the first lap. Blair Scott appeared to be struggling for speed and Aidan Collins was able to pass easily.
(3-3) (20-15)
Heat 7: Richard Juul, Emiliano Sanchez, Kevin Little, Brian Turner [59.6]
Kevin Little came out on a Blair Scott bike and fared little better than Blair had done in the previous heat and trailed behind the Glasgow pair.
(1-5) (21-20)
Heat 8: Blair Scott, Aidan Collins, Sean Courtney, Christian Henry [59.9]
Blair Scott came out ahead and held off a determined Aidan Collins who came in as a reserve change. Courtney came in third ahead of Henry.
(3-3) (24-23)
Heat 9: Peter Carr, Les Collins, Ross Brady, James Birkinshaw [57.8]
James Birkinshaw came in for Aidan Collins to complete his third ride. Carr and Brady once more made the start. Les Collins pursued Brady relentlessly and just took second place after a pass on the line.
(4-2) (28-25)
Heat 10: Robert Eriksson, Blair Scott, Emiliano Sanchez, Richard Juul [58.8]
Eriksson and Scott had an easy 5-1 from the gate.
(5-1) (33-26)
Heat 11: Les Collins, Kevin Little, Sean Courtney, Brian Turner [59.1]
Les Collins replaced the 'mechanically challenged' Simon Stead as a tactical substitute. This paid off as Les beat Kevin Little and Sean Courtney.
(2-4) (35-30)
Heat 12: Peter Carr, Richard Juul, Christian Henry, Aidan Collins [58.7]
Peter Carr had another easy win while Christian Henry produced a determined ride to keep Aidan Collins at the back.
(4-2) (39-32)
Heat 13: Robert Eriksson, Les Collins, Simon Stead, Kevin Little [58.4]
Robert Eriksson maintained his immaculate form with a win ahead of Les Collins and Simon Stead.
(3-3) (42-35)
Heat 14: Richard Juul, Emiliano Sanchez, Christian Henry, Ross Brady [60.2]
Glasgow brought in Richard Juul as a tactical substitute for Birkinshaw. Christian Henry made the start but Juul produced a great outside sweep to take the lead. Sanchez was third ahead of the tiring Brady. Henry managed to stay ahead of Sanchez for three laps but Sanchez passed to set up the last heat decider.
(1-5) (43-40)
Heat 15: Peter Carr, Robert Eriksson, Les Collins, Richard Juul [58.7]
The unbeaten Carr and Eriksson swept ahead from the gate and remained in front to complete maximums.
(5-1) (48-41)
|
Edinburgh Monarchs |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Robert Eriksson |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2* |
|
|
14+1 |
|
Blair Scott |
1 |
0 |
3 |
2* |
|
|
|
6+1 |
|
Peter Carr |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
|
15 |
|
Ross Brady |
1 |
2* |
1 |
0 |
|
|
|
4+1 |
|
Kevin Little |
2 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
Brian Turner |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
Christian Henry |
R |
R |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Glasgow Tigers |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Simon Stead |
R |
R |
1* |
|
|
|
|
1+1 |
|
Sean Courtney |
2 |
1 |
1* |
1 |
|
|
|
5+1 |
|
Richard Juul |
2 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
|
10 |
|
Emiliano Sanchez |
0 |
2* |
1 |
2* |
|
|
|
5+2 |
|
Les Collins |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
13 |
|
Aidan Collins |
3 |
1* |
2 |
0 |
|
|
|
6+1 |
|
Scott Courtney |
1 |
X |
0 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
Robert Eriksson and Peter Carr totally dominated the meeting winning nine heats between them. Neither looked remotely like losing. Only Blair Scott of the rest of the team produced a heat win. Blair started very badly and then was unbeaten in his last two rides.
Ross Brady had some hard rides. He had to fight all the way for a point against Sanchez in his first ride. He tried to fight off a challenge from Les Collins in his third ride. He was clearly tiring by his last ride. There were signs that he is regaining his form. He made three starts in his four rides.
Christian Henry struggled early on with two engine failures and a last place but came good in his last two rides. He is now making a few starts. Brian Turner, on his farewell appearance, made little impact.
Les Collins was once more the pick of the visitors and had the beating of everyone apart from Carr and Eriksson. Richard Juul is now putting some scores together and showing what a good Armadale rider he always has been. Simon Stead was a disaster as a guest and was plagued by bike problems.
Sanchez and Courtney produced some points without making much impact. Aidan Collins looked very assured and produced three great rides.
Man of the match: Peer Carr
Most exciting rider: Les Collins
Next home meeting: v Newcastle, Premier National Trophy, Armadale on Friday 12th May 2000
John Lowe