Edinburgh Monarchs 48: Newcastle Diamonds 44
Premier League
Lothian Arena, Armadale
Friday 30th June 2000
Edinburgh were made to work hard when facing a full strength Newcastle side at Armadale. Robert Eriksson blew his engine before the match started and struggled through the meeting riding Blair Scott's spare bike.
With Eriksson failing to win a heat and Ross Brady and Blair Scott rather hit and miss, it was left to Peter Carr and Kevin Little to guide Monarchs to see Monarchs home. The bonus point looked a possibility for Edinburgh when they led by eight points going into heat 12. Newcastle were able to use a tactical substitute in heat 12 to salvage a draw and Bjarne Pedersen won heat 13 ahead of Eriksson and Little. Newcastle used a golden double in heat 14 to gain a 7-1 heat advantage and secure the bonus point. The match went to a last heat decider but Peter Carr and Kevin Little took a 4-2 to settle things.
This win took Monarchs back to the top of the table, but they will need some results on the southern tour if they are to remain there for long.
Both teams were at full strength. Christian Henry had recovered from his wrist injury to take his place in the Edinburgh team. Newcastle introduced new signings André Compton and Rob Grant to the team that last visited Armadale. They also had Jesper Olsen back after injury.
Jesper Olsen won the toss and took gate position B using 1 and 3 in heat one.
Heat 1: Bjarne Pedersen, Robert Eriksson, Grant MacDonald, Will Beveridge [57.7]
Robert Eriksson gated ahead of Pedersen. Will Beveridge made a good start from gate four but found it a long away round the outside line and Grant MacDonald cut inside to take third. Eriksson was clearly struggling for speed and Pedersen slipped through on the inside on the back straight and pulled ahead.
(2-4) (2-4)
Heat 2: Blair Scott, Christian Henry, Rob Grant, Darren Pearson [59.6]
Christian Henry made a great start and joined Blair Scott in front. Rob Grant chased but looked rather wild and was losing ground on most bends. Darren Pearson just looked slow and the Monarchs pair pulled ahead steadily to win by a big margin.
(5-1) (7-5)
Heat 3: Peter Carr, Jesper Olsen, Stuart Swales, Ross Brady [57.4]
This was a superb heat. Ross Brady made the start but Jesper Olsen stormed past. Peter Carr cut inside to give chase and soon passed Olsen only for Jesper to come back to regain the lead and pull away slightly. Meanwhile Ross Brady was passed by Stuart Swales but recovered to re-pass on the outside. While many in the crowd watched Swales again get his nose in front Carr produced a superb inside pass on Olsen to win the heat.
(3-3) (10-8)
Heat 4: André Compton, Kevin Little, Christian Henry, Rob Grant [58.1]
André Compton made a cracking start from gate one, while Kevin Little cut inside from gate 4 to take second place. Christian Henry was last but rode a tight inside line to easily pass Rob Grant and ensure a tied heat.
(3-3) (13-11)
Heat 5: Ross Brady, Peter Carr, Bjarne Pedersen, Grant MacDonald [57.8]
Ross Brady and Peter Carr gated to shut the door on Bjarne Pedersen who made no impression on the team-riding Monarchs pairing.
(5-1) (18-12)
Heat 6: André Compton, Will Beveridge, Robert Eriksson, Darren Pearson [58.2]
Compton made another start ahead of Beveridge. Eriksson was slow away on his borrowed bike and could make no real impression on Beveridge after passing Darren Pearson.
(3-3) (21-15)
Heat 7: Jesper Olsen, Kevin Little, Stuart Swales, Blair Scott [58.4]
Jesper Olsen won ahead of Kevin Little. Blair Scott started well but Stuart Swales passed him on the inside. Swales then closed in on Little and wasn't far short at the finish.
(2-4) (23-19)
Heat 8: Grant MacDonald, Will Beveridge, Christian Henry, Robert Grant [59.3]
The heat 7 advantage denied Newcastle a tactical substitute option. Grant MacDonald made the gate to head his former Glasgow and Newcastle teammate Will Beveridge. Christian Henry had another solid third place ahead of Grant.
(3-3) (26-22)
Heat 9: Peter Carr, André Compton, Ross Brady, Darren Pearson [57.5]
Carr and Brady gated once more but Compton came around the outside of Brady coming out of the second bend before the Monarchs' pair had the opportunity to block his path.
(4-2) (30-24)
Heat 10: Jesper Olsen, Robert Eriksson, Stuart Swales, Will Beveridge [58.1]
Eriksson made a start but couldn't keep out Olsen and indeed had his work cut out to stay ahead of Swales.
(2-4) (32-28)
Heat 11: Blair Scott, Kevin Little, Bjarne Pedersen, Grant MacDonald [59.1]
Blair Scott made a great start and was joined in front by Kevin Little. Bjarne Pedersen missed the start and struggled to pass MacDonald. When he did move into third place he could not mount a serious challenge to Kevin Little who marshalled Scott home.
(5-1) (37-29)
Heat 12: Peter Carr, Stuart Swales, Jesper Olsen, Blair Scott [58.1]
Blair Scott replaced Christian Henry as a reserve change while Newcastle introduced Jesper Olsen as a tactical substitute for Pearson. Peter Carr was away ahead of the Newcastle pair with Blair Scott challenging on the outside until he was seen off.
(3-3) (40-32)
Heat 13: Bjarne Pedersen, Robert Eriksson, Kevin Little, André Compton [58.4]
Pedersen made the gate and led throughout but Robert Eriksson and Kevin Little had few difficulties keeping Compton at the back. This maintained Edinburgh's eight-point lead and opened things up for a golden double in heat 13.
(3-3) (43-35)
Heat 14: Jesper Olsen, Bjarne Pedersen, Blair Scott, Ross Brady [58.7]
Bjarne Pedersen came in as a golden double tactical substitute for Rob Grant. Olsen just made the gate ahead of Brady and Scott. The Edinburgh riders concentrated on team riding to keep Pedersen at the back. This appeared to have worked but they got into a tangle on the second bend of the last heat leaving a big gap for Pedersen to go through. Blair Scott came back hard and at least ended any thought Olsen may have had of trying to let Pedersen through to win.
(1-7) (44-42)
Heat 15: Peter Carr, André Compton, Kevin Little, Jesper Olsen [58.9]
Peter Carr blasted ahead to win easily and clinch the win. Kevin Little rode a good race to keep Jesper Olsen at the back.
(4-2) (48-44)
|
Edinburgh Monarchs |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Robert Eriksson |
2 |
1* |
2 |
2 |
|
|
|
7+1 |
|
Will Beveridge |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Peter Carr |
3 |
2* |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
|
12 |
|
Ross Brady |
0 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Kevin Little |
2 |
2 |
2* |
1* |
1 |
|
|
8+2 |
|
Blair Scott |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
7 |
|
Christian Henry |
2* |
1* |
1* |
|
|
|
|
4+3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Newcastle Diamonds |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Bjarne Pedersen |
3 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
4* |
|
|
12+1 |
|
Grant MacDonald |
1 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
|||
|
Stuart Swales |
1* |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
|
|
5+1 |
|
Jesper Olsen |
2 |
3 |
3 |
1* |
3 |
0 |
|
12+1 |
|
André Compton |
3 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
|
10 |
|
Darren Pearson |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
Rob Grant |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert Eriksson bike problems resulted in his lowest Armadale score of the season and this was only the second time he has not made the nominated heat. Peter Carr was untouchable throughout although he was made to work hard by Jesper Olsen in heat 3. Kevin Little rose to the occasion and was very good value for a paid ten score after taking some hard rides at number 5 including a rare heat 15 appearance. Kevin deserves a lot of credit for the win.
The rest of the team scored steadily rather than spectacularly. All dominated the weak Diamond's reserve pairing. Blair Scott predictably won heat 2. He was also helped to a second heat win by Kevin Little. Peter Carr also helped Ross Brady to a win. Christian Henry was rock-solid and scored in every ride.
Bjarne Pedersen looked impressive when he gated but was no great shakes otherwise. He did pass the toiling Eriksson in heat 1 but didn't have an answer to team-riding opponents in heats 5 and 11. He only managed to pass Scott and Brady in heat 14 after they left a huge gap. Jesper Olsen was back to his old Armadale form and was only beaten by Carr prior to running last in heat 15. André Compton started well and did everything expected of him apart from trailing in heat 13. Stuart Swales and Grant MacDonald were both steady but the visiting reserves were off the pace.
Man of the match: Kevin Little
Most exciting rider: Peter Carr/Jesper Olsen
Next meeting: v Sheffield, Premier League, Armadale on Friday 6th July 2000
John Lowe