Glasgow Tigers 46: Edinburgh Monarchs 44
Spring Trophy
Saracen Park, Ashfield
Sunday 18th March 2001
Edinburgh lost out after a last heat decider at Ashfield in the first leg of the Spring Trophy. While Peter Carr won the heat to complete an awesome 15-point full maximum, Robert Eriksson was stuck at the back before retiring. This gave Glasgow the 3-3 they needed to retain their two-point lead.
With heavy snow falling throughout central Scotland the meeting seemed to be in jeopardy. However, Ashfield escaped the worst of the weather and the track appeared to reasonable condition.
The meeting was dominated by Monarchs' big three of Peter Carr, Robert Eriksson and Jan Andersen who won nine heats between them. Blair Scott weighed in with a trademark heat eight win. Derek Sneddon had an excellent first meeting scoring in his first three rides. Ben Shields failed to score.
Both teams were at full strength.
Gate position A was in used with Glasgow off 1 and 3 for the first heat.
Heat 1: Les Collins, Robert Eriksson, Emiliano Sanchez, Blair Scott [59.2]
Things started badly for Edinburgh with Blair Scott excluded for tape touching. He came back in on a 15-metre line. Les Collins made the start to inflict a rare Ashfield defeat on Robert Eriksson while Blair was unable to overcome his handicap.
(4-2) (4-2)
Heat 2: Aidan Collins, Christian Henry, Derek Sneddon, Scott Courtney [61.9]
Derek Sneddon made a quick start but Aidan Collins produced a great first bend to sweep past Sneddon and Henry. Scott Courtney made no impression on Sneddon.
(3-3) (7-5)
Heat 3: Jan Andersen, Mark Courtney, Stuart Swales, Ben Shields [61.3]
Jan Andersen made a great start from gate 4 and held on to win despite looking uncomfortable on the third bend. Ben Shields trailed from the start and was unable to get on terms with Courtney and Swales.
(3-3) (10-8)
Heat 4: Peter Carr, James Grieves, Derek Sneddon, Scott Courtney [60.5]
Peter Carr and Derek Sneddon made the gate. Grieves managed to pass Sneddon but Carr was way ahead. Scott Courtney toiled at the back once more.
(2-4) (12-12)
Heat 5: Robert Eriksson, Mark Courtney, Stuart Swales, Blair Scott [61.1]
Eriksson made the start and won easily while the steady Courtney/Swales pairing managed to keep Blair Scott out of the points.
(3-3) (15-15)
Heat 6: Peter Carr, Les Collins, Emiliano Sanchez, Christian Henry [60.0]
Carr again proved too quick for the Glasgow riders. Christian Henry was in last place and tried hard to pass Sanchez but fell and restarted.
(3-3) (18-18)
Heat 7: Jan Andersen, James Grieves, Aidan Collins, Ben Shields [62.3]
Jan Andersen produced another impressive start to beat Grieves and Collins.
(3-3) (21-21)
Heat 8: Blair Scott, Emiliano Sanchez, Derek Sneddon [62.7]
Blair Scott made the start ahead of Sanchez and Sneddon. Scott Courtney pushed hard to get past Sneddon but fell on the fourth bend. He picked up his bike and looked to see Scott leading and then stayed put stopping the race. In the re-run, Sneddon made another quick start and it took Sanchez a lap to pass him by which time Blair Scott had built up a winning lead.
(2-4) (23-25)
Heat 9: Peter Carr, Mark Courtney, Stuart Swales, Christian Henry [60.3]
Carr took his third heat win ahead of the steady Tigers' middle pairing.
(3-3) (26-28)
Heat 10: Les Collins, Emiliano Sanchez, Jan Andersen, Ben Shields [60.9]
Glasgow made a breakthrough with a heat maximum. Jan Andersen made a fair start but seemed to get in a tangle on the first bend as Les Collins and Emiliano Sanchez swept past.
(5-1) (31-29)
Heat 11: James Grieves, Robert Eriksson, Blair Scott, Aidan Collins [61.7]
James Grieves made the gate to surprisingly beat Eriksson. Blair Scott had a good ride to hold off a determined challenge from Aidan Collins.
(3-3) (34-32)
Heat 12: Aidan Collins, Stuart Swales, Christian Henry, Ben Shields [62.8]
Sensing Monarchs vulnerability in this heat, Glasgow brought in Aidan Collins for the struggling Scott Courtney. This paid dividends as Glasgow picked up their expected 5-1 to go six points clear.
(5-1) (39-33)
Heat 13: Peter Carr, Robert Eriksson, Les Collins, James Grieves [61.1]
Carr and Eriksson hit back with an easy maximum over Collins and Grieves.
(1-5) (40-38)
Heat 14: Jan Andersen, Mark Courtney, Aidan Collins [62.7]
Jan Andersen kept Monarchs in contention with a third heat win. Derek Sneddon tried to pass Aidan Collins but fell on the fourth bend and retired.
(3-3) (43-41)
Heat 15: Peter Carr, Les Collins, James Grieves [60.8]
Monarchs opted for Eriksson to partner Carr in the last heat decider ahead of Andersen. Carr made the start but Eriksson was at the back and could make no impression on Grieves while Collins harried Carr all the way.
(3-3) (46-44)
|
Glasgow Tigers |
|
|
|
||||
|
Les Collins |
3 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
11 |
|
Emiliano Sanchez |
1 |
1* |
2 |
2* |
|
|
6+2 |
|
Stuart Swales |
1* |
1* |
1* |
2* |
|
|
5+4 |
|
Mark Courtney |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
8 |
|
James Grieves |
2 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
1* |
|
8+1 |
|
Aidan Collins |
3 |
1* |
0 |
3 |
1* |
|
8+2 |
|
Scott Courtney |
0 |
0 |
X |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edinburgh Monarchs |
|
|
|
||||
|
Robert Eriksson |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2* |
R |
|
9+1 |
|
Blair Scott |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1* |
|
|
4+1 |
|
Ben Shields |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
0 |
|
Jan Andersen |
3 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
|
|
10 |
|
Peter Carr |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
15 |
|
Christian Henry |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
4 |
|
Derek Sneddon |
1* |
1 |
1 |
F |
|
|
3+1 |
Peter Carr was in totally dominant form winning his five heats from the gate. Robert Eriksson was slightly below his usual Ashfield form but was still paid for a double figure score. Jan Andersen a great comeback for Monarchs with three wins out of four rides.
Blair Scott struggled at first with a tape offense and two non-scoring rides. He improved as the meeting went on with two great rides. Ben Shields started reasonably well but tended to be brushed aside at the first bend. He looked assured in his riding and was never off the pace. Ben needs a few races under his belt before any judgements can be made.
Christian Henry had an average meeting picking up points but only beating Scott Courtney. Derek Sneddon impressed with his gating and stylish riding. If he can keep this form up he could prove to be a major 'find'.
The Glasgow team appeared solid enough with the exception of Scott Courtney but they lack race winners. Only five heat winners, in a home match, says it all. The likes of Mark Courtney, Emiliano Sanchez and Stuart Swales seem well equipped to pick up minor points but not to win many races. Neither James Grieves nor Les Collins looks to be the out and out number one that a team needs.
The assured performance of Aidan Collins was a major plus but the poor form of Scott Courtney must be of concern. Scott needs to pick up points given the structure of the Glasgow side and as he is entering his third year in the Premier League the time must be due for him to fulfil his obvious promise.
Man of the match: Peter Carr
John Lowe