Edinburgh Monarchs 53: Glasgow Tigers 37
Scottish Cup First Leg
Lothian Arena, Armadale
Friday 29th September 2000
Edinburgh took a firm grip on the Scottish Cup after a 16-point win the first leg at Armadale. Monarchs edged ahead in heat 3 and consolidated this with successive 5-1s in heats 4 and 5. From then on it was simply a matter of by what score Monarchs would win by. Edinburgh's cause was none no harm in heat 8 when a double tactical substitution including Les Collins as a golden double failed. Indeed Monarchs took a 4-2 in this heat as Collins was stuck at the back. Glasgow probably regret not using the faster gating James Grieves to partner Les in the golden double rather than Mark Courtney.
Edinburgh had virtually their whole team competitive and scoring points. Glasgow, by contrast, were a four-man team with only Rusty Harrison providing support for their heat leaders.
Edinburgh were at full strength while Glasgow replaced Scott Courtney with Rob Grant. Such a substitution would not have been permitted in a League match but the rules tend to be relaxed by agreement between the promotions of the two tracks.
Peter Carr ended his winning run with the toss and Les Collins opted for gate position B with Monarchs off 2 and 4 in heat 1.
Heat 1: Robert Eriksson, Les Collins, Blair Scott, Aidan Collins [57.9]
Robert Eriksson made the start ahead of Les Collins. Blair Scott, on Kevin Little's bike, went the long way round from gate four. Blair picked up enough speed to storm past Aidan Collins and close up on Les. Blair was not content with this and a lap later he rounded Les Collins on the third bend and looked set for a paid win until the wily Les slipped through on the inside of the last bend. Blair tried to come back but Les took the decision clearly.
(4-2) (4-2)
Heat 2: Rusty Harrison, Will Beveridge, Rob Grant [59.7]
Will Beveridge gated ahead of the Glasgow pairing. Christian Henry missed the start and fell on the second bend trying to get on terms. Christian was rather slow clearing his bike from the track and while the race continued Will Beveridge seemed to slow down as he came round the first bend with Christian still pushing across the track. This gave Rusty Harrison the opportunity to sweep past and level the tie for Glasgow.
(2-4) (6-6)
Heat 3: Peter Carr, James Grieves, Ross Brady, Emiliano Sanchez [58.2]
James Grieves made the start but Peter Carr blasted through on the home straight on the second lap. Ross Brady made a fair start and easily took third to edge Monarchs ahead.
(4-2) (10-8)
Heat 4: Kevin Little, Will Beveridge, Mark Courtney [59.6]
Mark Courtney was first away but Rob Grant lost it on the second bend collecting Kevin Little who was coming around from gate 4. The race was stopped and Grant excluded. In the re-run, Little and Beveridge made the start and team-rode to lock out Courtney.
(5-1) (15-9)
Heat 5: Peter Carr, Ross Brady, Les Collins, Aidan Collins [57.9]
Peter Carr and Ross Brady gated and stayed ahead of Les and Aidan Collins.
(5-1) (20-10)
Heat 6: Robert Eriksson, Mark Courtney, Blair Scott, Rusty Harrison [57.8]
Eriksson produced a routine win although he did give the home support concern when he went wide on the last bend before recovering to win. Blair Scott, still on Little machinery challenged Courtney before settling for third place.
(4-2) (24-12)
Heat 7: James Grieves, Kevin Little, Emiliano Sanchez, Christian Henry [59.2]
James Grieves got the better for Kevin Little. Sanchez took third ahead of an off-colour Christian Henry.
(2-4) (26-16)
Heat 8: Blair Scott, Mark Courtney, Will Beveridge, Les Collins [59.4]
Glasgow introduced Mark Courtney as a tactical substitute and Les Collins as a golden double. This put the pressure on Blair Scott who has been a heat 8 specialist at Armadale all season. For a golden double to come off it is imperative that his partner makes the gate. Mark Courtney was outgated by Scott and Beveridge. Courtney struggled to pass Beveridge while Scott pulled further ahead. Mark Courtney even seemed to hold up Les Collins for a time. Eventually Courtney took a tight inside line on bend two to pass Beveridge but Will held off Les Collins for the remainder of the heat.
(4-2) (30-18)
Heat 9: Peter Carr, Mark Courtney, Rob Grant, Ross Brady [57.8]
Rob Grant came in for his third ride in place of Harrison. Carr and Brady seemed set for another 5-1 but Brady tried a tight turn on bend two and fell. He restarted to finish last with Carr the inevitable winner.
(3-3) (33-21)
Heat 10: Robert Eriksson, James Grieves, Blair Scott, Emiliano Sanchez [58.9]
The Edinburgh pair were out of the gate first. James Grieves went past Blair Scott and pressured Eriksson all the way without ever looking like passing the Swede.
(4-2) (37-23)
Heat 11: Les Collins, Kevin Little, Christian Henry, Aidan Collins [58.9]
Les Collins inflicted a second defeat on Little but Christian Henry got his first point after passing Aidan Collins.
(3-3) (40-26)
Heat 12: Peter Carr, James Grieves, Will Beveridge, Rusty Harrison [58.3]
Carr won easily from Grieves. Most interest was centered on a fascinating battle for third place. Will Beveridge was ahead with Rusty Harrison pressing hard. Harrison managed to get past only for Beveridge to immediately re-pass.
(4-2) (44-28)
Heat 13: Robert Eriksson, Mark Courtney, Les Collins, Kevin Little [59.2]
Eriksson led from flag to tapes with the improving Mark Courtney following. The was a great scrap for third between Les Collins and Little. Kevin edged past a couple of times but Les was generally in command and won out.
(3-3) (47-31)
Heat 14: James Grieves, Rusty Harrison, Will Beveridge [60.4]
Edinburgh replaced Christian Henry with the in-form Will Beveridge. Glasgow also swopped reserves bringing in Rusty Harrison. They also brought in James Grieves as a tactical substitute. Grieves was away well and Ross Brady fell on the third/fourth bend trying to pass and was excluded from the re-run. Grieves and Harrison gated and easily held off Will Beveridge.
(1-5) (48-36)
Heat 15: Peter Carr, Robert Eriksson, James Grieves [57.9]
Carr and Eriksson gated and pulled well ahead of Mark Courtney and James Grieves. Courtney's challenge came to and end with sparks coming from his engine as he stopped on the home straight.
(5-1) (53-37)
|
Edinburgh Monarchs |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Robert Eriksson |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2* |
|
|
14+1 |
|
Blair Scott |
1 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
Peter Carr |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
|
15 |
|
Ross Brady |
1 |
2* |
0 |
X |
|
|
|
3+1 |
|
Kevin Little |
3 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
Christian Henry |
F |
0 |
1* |
|
|
|
|
1+1 |
|
Will Beveridge |
2 |
2* |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
7+1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Glasgow |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Les Collins |
2 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
1* |
|
|
8+1 |
|
Aidan Collins |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
James Grieves |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
|
13 |
|
Emiliano Sanchez |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
||||
|
Mark Courtney |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
E |
|
9 |
|
Rusty Harrison |
3 |
0 |
0 |
2* |
|
|
|
5+1 |
|
Rob Grant |
1 |
X |
1* |
|
|
|
|
2+1 |
Peter Carr was never threatened as he produced yet another home maximum. Robert Eriksson also had a paid maximum. Kevin Little rode quite well but lost out to James Grieves and Les Collins before finishing last in heat 13.
Blair Scott suffered problems with his bike and used Kevin Little machinery throughout. He produced a great win in heat 8 and three very solid third places. Ross Brady looked much sharper than of late but fell twice when battling for the lead. Will Beveridge made his best score in Monarchs' colours. Christian Henry had an off night after his great show at Sheffield the day before.
Les Collins was rather subdued and failed in his heat 8 golden double ride. James Grieves till does not look like the rider of last year although he is getting there. Mark Courtney started slowly but improved as the meeting went on and looked the most competitive visitor towards the end of the meeting despite failing to win a race.
Only Rusty Harrison of the Glasgow lower orders got into the points starting with a win and ending with a paid win. Aidan Collins and Emiliano Sanchez were not competitive.
Man of the match: Peter Carr
Return leg: v Glasgow, Scottish Cup, Ashfield on Sunday 1st October 2000
John Lowe