Edinburgh Monarchs 44: Workington Comets 46
Premier League Cup
Lothian Arena, Armadale
Friday 14th July 2000
Edinburgh lost a tight battle with Workington in which the visiting top four were always in command winning ten heats.
The Comets top four consistently outgated their Edinburgh counterparts. In eighteen starts Stonehewer, Powell, Werner and Karlsson were only twice beaten away by a home rider, Robert Eriksson had the edge on Mick Powell in heat 14 and Brent Werner in heat 14. The Edinburgh riders were always struggling trying to come from the back against riders of that calibre.
The Monarchs lower orders did their bit but this was insufficient to cover the deficiencies further up.
Edinburgh were at full strength but Workington had two rookies at reserve. Second halfer Chris Hunter replaced the injured Barry Campbell at number 7. Geoff Powell strained his back sneezing and was replaced by Jamie Swales.
Edinburgh made use of the new Cup rules and put Peter Carr at number 4 with Ross Brady at number 3. This was presumably designed to counter the threat of Brent Werner and a possible tactical substitute in heat 14. The move backfired when it was Monarchs who had to use tactical substitutes in the penultimate heat.
The weather was bright and sunny and a fair crowd assembled.
Monarch's Captain Peter Carr managed to win the toss. Gate position A operated after Edinburgh went for 1 and 3 for the first heat.
Heat 1: Carl Stonehewer, Robert Eriksson, Blair Scott, Lee Smethills, [56.8]
Carl Stonehewer made the gate with Eriksson never really threatening. Blair Scott held a narrow advantage over Lee Smethills and fought off several inside surges from the Workington youngster.
(3-3) (3-3)
Heat 2: Will Beveridge, Christian Henry, Chris Hunter [59.1]
Jamie Swales made fair start from gate 1 but Will Beveridge swept past. Swales nearly lost it on the second bend as Henry rounded him. Swales was looking very wild and had a go at Henry on the fourth bend but fell by the pit gate and was excluded. In the re-run, Beveridge and Henry won by a good half a lap from the wobbly Hunter.
(5-1) (8-4)
Heat 3: Brent Werner, Peter Carr, Peter Karlsson, Ross Brady [57.4]
Karlsson and Werner swept ahead from the gate. Peter Carr seemed to lack speed and struggled to close the gap. He eventually barged inside Karlsson but Werner was way ahead by then. Ross Brady failed to make progress when chasing Karlsson.
(2-4) (10-8)
Heat 4: Mick Powell, Kevin Little, Christian Henry, Chris Hunter [59.1]
Mick Powell gated and held off an inside surge by Kevin Little. Christian Henry finished half a lap ahead of Hunter who looked steadier apart from on the fourth bend.
(3-3) (13-11)
Heat 5: Carl Stonehewer, Peter Carr, Lee Smethills, Ross Brady [57.5]
Carl Stonehewer made the gate but Carr blasted around to outside of him on the back straight. Stonehewer retaliated to return the compliment on the same place on the second lap and held on to win. Ross Brady was left at the start and never got on terms with Lee Smethills.
(2-4) (15-15)
Heat 6: Mick Powell, Robert Eriksson, Blair Scott, Jamie Swales [58.5]
Mick Powell just made the gate and had to withstand pressure from both Blair Scott and Robert Eriksson.
(3-3) (18-18)
Heat 7: Brent Werner, Peter Karlsson, Will Beveridge, Kevin Little [58.6]
Karlsson and Werner made the start. Kevin Little was always struggling to get back on terms and seemed to have mechanical problems. Kevin slowed down near the end and Beveridge nipped in to claim the point.
(1-5) (19-23)
Heat 8: Blair Scott, Christian Henry, Lee Smethills, Chris Hunter [59.1]
Blair Scott and Christian Henry showed the Edinburgh heat leaders how to gate! Scott was away and Henry tucked in behind leaving no opportunity for Lee Smethills to get past.
(5-1) (24-24)
Heat 9: Peter Carr, Mick Powell, Ross Brady, Jamie Swales [57.6]
Mick Powell made the start yet again but Peter Carr passed him for his first win. Ross Brady took third to ensure a home heat advantage.
(4-2) (28-26)
Heat 10: Brent Werner, Robert Eriksson, Peter Karlsson, Blair Scott [58.4]
Werner and Karlsson were first away yet again but Eriksson battled hard to pass Karlsson but could get past Werner. Blair Scott was stuck at the back and the scores were level.
(2-4) (30-30)
Heat 11: Carl Stonehewer, Lee Smethills, Kevin Little, Will Beveridge [59.1]
Stonehewer made the gate from Little riding Ross Brady's spare bike only for Smethills to cut inside as Little tried a big one around the outside in an attempt to pass Stonehewer. Kevin tried to come back on the outside line but had to settle for third.
(1-5) (31-35)
Heat 12: Peter Karlsson, Ross Brady, Christian Henry, Lee Smethills [58.9]
Peter Karlsson made the start to beat Little but Christian Henry took a sold third place with Geoff Powell falling when last and retiring.
(3-3) (34-38)
Heat 13: Carl Stonehewer, Robert Eriksson, Mick Powell, Kevin Little [58.2]
Stonehewer was quickly away but Eriksson managed to get his nose in front by the back straight. Stonehewer passed Eriksson to keep his 100% record. Kevin Little remained at the back and the lead was up to 6 points.
(2-4) (36-42)
Heat 14: Robert Eriksson, Peter Carr, Brent Werner, Jamie Swales [58.3]
Workington made a reserve change with Jamie Swales in for Chris Hunter. Edinburgh replaced Beveridge with tactical substitute Robert Eriksson to join Peter Carr against the unbeaten Werner. Eriksson, who was in gate 1, took Werner wide on the second bend allowing Carr to cut inside and surge into the lead. Eriksson and Carr then team rode to a maximum.
(5-1) (41-43)
Heat 15: Peter Carr, Brent Werner, Carl Stonehewer, Robert Eriksson [57.5]
Workington won the toss for gate position and took 2 and 4. Peter Carr missed the start but produced a stunning cut back on the second bend to lead. Robert Eriksson was in last place and Stonehewer held him off.
(3-3) (44-46)
|
Edinburgh Monarchs |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Robert Eriksson |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
|
11 |
|
Blair Scott |
1* |
1* |
3 |
0 |
|
|
|
5+2 |
|
Ross Brady |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Peter Carr |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2* |
3 |
|
|
12+1 |
|
Kevin Little |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Will Beveridge |
3 |
1 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
Christian Henry |
2* |
1* |
2* |
1* |
|
|
|
6+4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Workington Comets |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Carl Stonehewer |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
1* |
|
|
13+1 |
|
Lee Smethills |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2* |
|
|
|
4+1 |
|
Peter Karlsson |
1 |
2* |
1 |
3 |
|
|
7+1 |
|
|
Brent Werner |
3 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
|
12 |
|
Mick Powell |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
Jamie Swales |
X |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
|
|
Chris Hunter |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
The Monarchs' heat leaders managed only one win between them and that was in heat 14 by a tactical substitute! Robert Eriksson just couldn't get out of the starts but did manage a couple of passes. Ross Brady and Kevin Little also failed to make a start between them and only beat the Workington reserves. Peter Carr also was sluggish out of the gate but produced some classic passing moves.
Blair Scott had a good meeting without being able to beat any of the Comets top four. Christian Henry produced a paid ten score. He was dropped only two points to Mick Powell and Peter Karlsson with a good win over Smethills in heat 8. Will Beveridge had the harder rides but only beat the visiting reserves and lost out twice to Smethills.
Stonehewer looked like he was going to go through the card until Carr beat him in heat 15. Brent Werner also had a great meeting but lost out to Carr and Eriksson in heat 14 and to Carr again in heat 15. Mick Powell was also good value. Peter Karlsson gated well but was passed by Eriksson and Carr.
Lee Smethills again looked impressive without taking many points. The stand in reserve pairing scored the expected single point.
Man of the match: Brent Werner
Most exciting rider: Peter Carr
Next home meeting: v Workington, Premier League Cup, Derwent Park on Saturday 15th July 2000
John Lowe