Sheffield Tigers 58:
Edinburgh Monarchs 32Premier National Trophy
Owlerton Stadium, Sheffield
Thursday 18th May 2000
Edinburgh turned in a dreadful performance at Owlerton. This was disappointing after a decent show there in the Premiership earlier in the season and after a solid show at Hull the day before. This virtually killed off Monarchs' slim chances of qualification in the Premier National Trophy. Edinburgh riders did make a few starts but were often passed by the home riders.
Edinburgh were unchanged with Jon Swales continuing at number six. Sheffield were back at full strength with the return of Jamie Birkinshaw.
Heat 1: Sean Wilson, Robert Eriksson, Kevin Little, Simon Cartwright [63.2]
Wilson was away with the two Edinburgh riders holding the minor placings. Cartwright challenged for a lap and a half before fading.
(3-3) (3-3)
Heat 2: Adam Allott, Jamie Birkinshaw, Christian Henry, Jon Swales [65.5]
Allott made a good start to lead. Henry passed Birkinshaw on the back straight. Jamie fought back to swoop past Henry on the line.
(5-1) (8-4)
Heat 3: Peter Carr, Simon Stead, Paul Lee, Blair Scott [62.4]
Simon Stead missed the start and while he was able to pass Blair Scott Peter Carr was 'out of sight'.
(3-3) (11-7)
Heat 4: Robbie Kessler, Adam Allott, Ross Brady, Christian Henry [64.9]
The Sheffield riders gated and while Brady challenged Allott for a lap or so the order remained.
(5-1) (16-8)
Heat 5: Simon Stead, Paul Lee, Robert Eriksson, Kevin Little [64.2]
Another straightforward maximum for Stead and Lee ahead of Eriksson.
(5-1) (21-9)
Heat 6: Sean Wilson, Ross Brady, Simon Cartwright, Jon Swales [63.7]
Ross Brady gated but was passed but Sean Wilson on the third bend to gain a big win.
(4-2) (25-11)
Heat 7: Robbie Kessler, Peter Carr, Jamie Birkinshaw, Blair Scott [63.8]
Kessler held off Carr to win while Birkinshaw passed Scott on the second lap.
(4-2) (29-13)
Heat 8: Robert Eriksson, Simon Cartwright, Adam Allott, Kevin Little [64.4]
Eriksson came in as a tactical substitute for Henry and won after holding off Simon Cartwright early on.
(3-3) (32-16)
Heat 9: Simon Stead, Paul Lee, Jon Swales [64.4]
Back to normal with a Sheffield 5-1. Ross Brady was in third place until he retired on the last lap.
(5-1) (37-17)
Heat 10: Peter Carr, Sean Wilson, Simon Cartwright, Blair Scott [62.3]
Carr and Scott gated but Wilson passed Scott on the third turn although he can get nowhere near Carr. Cartwright cuts under Scott and snatched third off the last bend.
(3-3) (40-20)
Heat 11: Robbie Kessler, Robert Eriksson, Jamie Birkinshaw, Kevin Little [64.3]
Kessler beats Eriksson after a close run race. Birkinshaw passed Little on the first lap.
(4-2) (44-22)
Heat 12: Peter Carr, Simon Stead, Ross Brady, Adam Allott [63.8]
Ross Brady was introduced as a tactical substitute for Jon Swales. Peter Carr has another easy win from Stead with Brady taking third for a Monarchs heat advantage.
(2-4) (46-26)
Heat 13: Robbie Kessler, Sean Wilson, Robert Eriksson, Ross Brady [64.1]
Kessler and Wilson secure another big 5-1.
(5-1) (51-27)
Heat 14: Peter Carr, Paul Lee, Jamie Birkinshaw, Christian Henry [64.6]
Carr is introduced as a tactical substitute for Scott. For a while, Peter Carr and Christian Henry hold a 5-1 heat advantage. Paul Lee comes through on the white line to move from last to second. Birkinshaw cuts inside Henry on the last lap.
(3-3) (54-30)
Heat 15: Sean Wilson, Peter Carr, Robbie Kessler, Robert Eriksson [64.0]
Peter Carr and Robert Eriksson edge it from the gate. Sean Wilson manages to pass both on the first lap. Kessler then passed Eriksson to hold third place.
(4-2) (58-32)
|
Sheffield Tigers |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Sean Wilson |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2* |
3 |
|
|
13+1 |
|
Simon Cartwright |
0 |
1 |
2 |
1* |
|
|
|
4+1 |
|
Simon Stead |
2 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
Paul Lee |
1* |
2* |
2* |
2 |
|
|
|
7+3 |
|
Robbie Kessler |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
|
|
13 |
|
Jamie Birkinshaw |
2* |
1 |
1 |
1* |
|
|
|
5+2 |
|
Adam Allott |
3 |
2* |
1* |
0 |
|
|
|
6+2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edinburgh Monarchs |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Robert Eriksson |
2 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
9 |
|
Kevin Little |
1* |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
1+1 |
|
Peter Carr |
3 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
16 |
|
Blair Scott |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||||
|
Ross Brady |
1 |
2 |
R |
1 |
0 |
|
|
4 |
|
Jon Swales |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Christian Henry |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
Once more Edinburgh were effectively a two man team. Peter Carr seems to have rediscovered his Owlerton form. This is probably down to his use of a different engine for the big away tracks while retaining his 1999 engine for home matches and small away tracks. Eriksson was OK when he gated but failed to get much change out of the Sheffield heat leaders.
Ross Brady was rather exposed at number 5. Blair Scott, who is at times an effective Owlerton performer had a nightmare and a zero score. Kevin Little who is generally ineffective was worse than usual. The reserves were both at Owlerton four days earlier with the Lightning team but no-one would have guessed.
Only Peter Carr troubled the Sheffield top-four. Cartwright was also beaten by Eriksson and by Kevin Little.
Next meeting: v Sheffield, Armadale on Friday 19th May 2000
John Lowe