Exeter Falcons 50: Edinburgh Monarchs 42
Premier League
County Ground, Exeter
Monday 2nd July 2001
Edinburgh put up a fight at Exeter before going down to an eight-point defeat at their least favourite away track. Much credit must go to guest Simon Stead who dominated the meeting. Even with Stead's contribution, Edinburgh, in the absence of Dalle Andersson lacked the riders to trouble the home team. However the aggregate match point should be with Monarchs' grasp in the return next month.
The match followed a very similar pattern to that at Stoke two days earlier except that on this occasion the heat 14 'golden double' delivered the points.
This was a typically boring County Ground meeting with every heat won from the gate and next to no genuine passing moves.
Monarchs had Simon Stead in as a guest for Peter Carr and Rory Schlein continued to deputize for Dalle Andersson. Exeter introduced new signing Krister Marsh at number 7 and used rider replacement for the injured Bobby Eldridge.
The track was in dreadful condition following overwatering during the day. There was a delay of twenty minutes while the track was regraded.
Heat 1: Mark Simmonds, Christian Henry, Robert Eriksson, Jason Prynne [72.0]
Jason Prynne came in as rider replacement. The heat was won from the gate by Simmonds ahead of Henry and Eriksson.
(3-3) (3-3)
Heat 2: Krister Marsh, Jason Prynne, Ben Shields, Rory Schlein [71.1]
The home reserve pairing picked up an expected maximum.
(5-1) (8-4)
Heat 3: Simon Stead, Lawrence Hare, Seemond Stephens, Blair Scott [68.7]
Simon Stead won from the gate in by far the fastest time so far. Blair Scott's misery continued as he trailed in last.
(3-3) (11-7)
Heat 4: Michael Coles, Jan Andersen, Krister Marsh, Ben Shields [71.1]
Michael Coles won despite his broken fingers ahead of Jan Andersen and Krister Marsh.
(4-2) (15-9)
Heat 5: Seemond Stephens, Robert Eriksson, Lawrence Hare, Christian Henry [69.5]
Seemond Stephens won but Eriksson split the home pair.
(4-2) (19-11)
Heat 6: Mark Simmonds, Jan Andersen, Krister Marsh, Rory Schlein [68.3]
Marsh came in as rider replacement. Simmonds won from Andersen with Marsh third.
(4-2) (23-13)
Heat 7: Simon Stead, Michael Coles, Jason Prynne, Blair Scott [67.5]
Simon Stead proved to be the fastest rider in either team with a second win. Blair Scott was once more at the back so the margin remained at ten points.
(3-3) (26-16)
Heat 8: Seemond Stephens, Robert Eriksson, Christian Henry, Krister Marsh [68.5]
Seemond Stephens came in for Eldridge as rider replacement. Robert Eriksson replaced Ben Shields as a tactical substitute. This tactical move only partially paid off with Eriksson beaten by Stephens.
(3-3) (29-19)
Heat 9: Lawrence Hare, Seemond Stephens, Jan Andersen, Rory Schlein [68.6]
Exeter made the breakthrough with a 5-1 to take a match-winning 14-point lead.
(5-1) (34-20)
Heat 10: Simon Stead, Mark Simmonds, Blair Scott [67.0]
Krister Marsh came in once more as rider replacement. Simon Stead continued his winning form with Blair Scott picking up a point after Marsh retired.
(2-4) (36-24)
Heat 11: Robert Eriksson, Michael Coles, Christian Henry, Jason Prynne [69.4]
Monarchs trimmed the lead with Eriksson winning ahead of Coles and Henry taking third ahead of Prynne.
(2-4) (38-28)
Heat 12: Simon Stead, Lawrence Hare, Jan Andersen, Krister Marsh [68.1]
Jan Andersen came in as a tactical substitute for Schlein. This appeared to have paid off when Stead and Andersen made the gate. Lawrence Hare had other ideas and swept past Andersen on the second bend of lap two.
(2-4) (40-32)
Heat 13: Mark Simmonds, Jan Andersen, Michael Coles [68.3]
Robert Eriksson was the first casualty with engine problems on lap three when running last. Michael Coles also suffered an engine failure on the last bend but made it over the line for third place.
(4-2) (44-34)
Heat 14: Seemond Stephens, Simon Stead, Ben Shields, Jason Prynne [69.4]
Monarchs went for broke and Simon Stead was brought in as a 'golden double' tactical substitute to replace Blair Scott. This was a brave move on a track that had produced one genuine pass in the first 13 heats. Seemond Stephens made the start ahead of Ben Shields. Simon Stead took three laps to get past Prynne. Ben Shields had to slow down to allow Stead to catch up with Seemond Stephens well clear.
(3-5) (47-39)
Heat 15: Simon Stead, Mark Simmonds, Seemond Stephens, Jan Andersen [68.6]
Simon Stead collected his fifth win of the meeting after beating Simmonds and Stephens.
(4-2) (52-38)
|
Exeter Falcons |
|
|
|
||||
|
Mark Simmonds |
3 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
|
13 |
|
Bobby Eldridge |
Rider replacement |
|
(4) |
||||
|
Lawrence Hare |
2 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
|
|
8 |
|
Seemond Stephens |
1* |
3 |
3 |
2* |
3 |
1* |
13+3 |
|
Michael Coles |
3 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
8 |
|
Jason Prynne |
0 |
2* |
1* |
0 |
0 |
|
3+2 |
|
Krister Marsh |
3 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edinburgh Monarchs |
|
|
|
||||
|
Robert Eriksson |
1* |
2 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
|
8+1 |
|
Christian Henry |
2 |
0 |
1* |
1 |
|
|
4+1 |
|
Simon Stead |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2+2 |
3 |
17+2 |
|
Blair Scott |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Jan Andersen |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
8 |
|
Rory Schlein |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Ben Shields |
1 |
0 |
1* |
|
|
|
2+1 |
Monarchs have often experienced poor scoring guest replacements with the exception of Oliver Allen at Stoke, Phil Morris at Reading and David Walsh against Stoke at Armadale. With Simon Stead they really struck gold. Stead would surely have taken a six-ride maximum but for his 'golden double' in heat 14. Robert Eriksson and Jan Andersen have both had better meetings at the County Ground but did assist Stead to keep the scoreline respectable.
Christian Henry had a decent meeting and demonstrated the progress he is making. Blair Scott continues to struggle and should have scored more points on a track where he was once paid for seven points! Ben Shields ran third in the reserves' race but did everything that could be expected of him in his remaining rides. Rory Schlein found the going tough.
With Michael Coles clearly struggling from his hand injury, Exeter will have been pleased with the return to form of Mark Simmonds and especially Seemond Stephens. Lawrence Hare seems to be coming to terms with the track and both of the home reserves more than held their own.
Man of the match: Simon Stead
John Lowe