Hull Vikings 48: Edinburgh Monarchs 42
Premier National Trophy
New Craven Park, Hull
Wednesday 18th April 2001
Edinburgh missed an opportunity to go clear of the pack in the race to join Workington in the knockout stages of the Premier National Trophy. On a track where Monarchs always go well but have only recorded one win, they missed out after Jan Andersen failed to win heat 14.
Robert Eriksson was badly missed in this match. On a super slick surface that would have suited his fast gating ability, Monarchs were something of a two-man team with Peter Carr and Jan Andersen picking up 29 of Edinburgh's 42 points.
Hull took an early lead after picking up a heat 1 maximum. This lead was held for the first half of the meeting and doubled after another maximum in heat 8. This lead was stretched to 10 points by heat ten. Monarchs then used tactical substitutes to reduce the lead to six points. Heat 13 saw the lead reduced to four points and stopped Monarchs being able to use a tactical substitute in heat 14. That finished Monarchs' hopes.
Hull were at full strength, that is if any team containing Justin Elkins can be described as full strength! Hull switched race order to move Lee Dicken to number two and Mike Smith to number four. Edinburgh used André Compton as guest at number one.
Heat 1: Paul Thorp, Lee Dicken, André Compton, Blair Scott [69.7]
Hull's new opening pairing made quick starts and took a 5-1 despite the efforts of Compton to get on terms.
(5-1)(5-1)
Heat 2: Jamie Smith, Christian Henry, Derek Sneddon, Justin Elkins [70.4]
Jamie Smith was first away while Justin Elkins made one of his famed starts with his bike misfiring until the others were ahead and then worked normally without him ever getting into contention.
(3-3)(8-4)
Heat 3: David Walsh, Jan Andersen, Ben Shields, Mike Smith [69.9]
David Walsh made a fast start to outpace Andersen but Ben Shields easily held off a challenge from Mike Smith.
(3-3)(11-7)
Heat 4: Peter Carr, Garry Stead, Jamie Smith, Derek Sneddon [69.4]
Peter Carr shot out of the gates and flew around the track ahead of Garry Stead and Jamie Smith.
(3-3)(14-10)
Heat 5: André Compton, David Walsh, Mike Smith, Blair Scott [69.6]
André Compton made a start and held off Walsh without difficulty but Mike Smith took third ahead of Blair Scott.
(3-3)(17-13)
Heat 6: Peter Carr, Paul Thorp, Lee Dicken, Christian Henry [68.7]
Peter Carr won in the fastest time of the meeting but Christian Henry tailed-off at the back.
(3-3)(20-16)
Heat 7: Garry Stead, Jan Andersen, Ben Shields
Justin Elkins retired after 5 metres! Garry Stead gated to beat Andersen and Shields.
(3-3)(23-19)
Heat 8: Jamie Smith, Lee Dicken, Blair Scott, Christian Henry [70.5]
Hull began to take a grip as Jamie Smith and Lee Dicken gate to beat Blair Scott and reserve replacement Christian Henry.
(5-1)(28-20)
Heat 9: Peter Carr, David Walsh, Mike Smith, Derek Sneddon [69.3]
Peter Carr was away for another easy win ahead of the Hull pair.
(3-3)(31-23)
Heat 10: Paul Thorp, Jan Andersen, Lee Dicken [69.3]
This race featured an amazing first bend with all four riders side-by-side. Paul Thorp managed to get ahead while Andersen forced his way past Lee Dicken as Ben Shields fell.
(4-2)(35-25)
Heat 11: Peter Carr, Garry Stead, André Compton, Jamie Smith [68.9]
Monarchs used Carr as a tactical substitute for Blair Scott. Justin Elkins touched the tapes and was excluded with Jamie Smith coming in. Carr gated ahead of Jamie Smith with Compton at the back. Garry Stead passed Smith rather than team riding him. Compton eventually won out after a passing tussle with Smith.
(2-4)(37-29)
Heat 12: Jan Andersen, David Walsh, Ben Shields, Justin Elkins [70.4]
Jan Andersen came in as a tactical substitute for Henry. Justin Elkins came in for Smith to clear his third ride. Andersen gated ahead of Walsh with Shields well ahead of Elkins. Walsh chased Andersen but clipped the fence and wobbled alarmingly allowing Shields to close in.
(2-4)(39-33)
Heat 13: Peter Carr, Garry Stead, André Compton, Paul Thorp [68.9]
Edinburgh went into this heat wanting anything but a 4-2 heat advantage. But this is exactly what they got! A 5-1 would have closed the gap to two points while 3-3 would have allowed Monarchs to use Compton as a heat 14 tactical substitute alongside Andersen. A 4-2 against would have permitted a 'golden double'. Hull was obviously wise to this and when Carr outgated Stead, Thorp appeared to allow Compton to take third place with little attempt being made to pass.
(2-4)(41-37)
Heat 14: Jamie Smith, Jan Andersen, Mike Smith, Christian Henry [70.2]
Jamie Smith came in as a reserve change to line up with Mike Smith against Jan Andersen and Christian Henry. Mike Smith fell on the first bend but all four were invited back. At the second attempt Jamie Smith flew past Andersen on the inside of the first bend. Mike Smith passed Christian Henry on the inside to give Hull a heat advantage on a match win.
(4-2)(45-39)
Heat 15: Garry Stead, Peter Carr, Jan Andersen, David Walsh
Garry Stead outgated Carr and held on despite the fact that Carr looked much the quicker. David Walsh fell on the first bend and restarted but was never going to get into contention.
(3-3)(48-42)
|
Hull Vikings |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Paul Thorp |
3 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
Lee Dicken |
2* |
1* |
2* |
1 |
|
|
|
6+3 |
|
David Walsh |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
|
9 |
|
Mike Smith |
0 |
1* |
1* |
1 |
|
|
|
3+2 |
|
Garry Stead |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
|
12 |
|
Justin Elkins |
0 |
R |
T |
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Jamie Smith |
3 |
1* |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
|
10+1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edinburgh Monarchs |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
André Compton |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
Blair Scott |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Ben Shields |
1* |
1* |
F |
1 |
|
|
|
3+2 |
|
Jan Andersen |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
1* |
|
12+1 |
|
Peter Carr |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
17 |
|
Christian Henry |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Derek Sneddon |
1* |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
1* |
Jamie Smith might be seen as Hull's match winner after taking the flag three times albeit in the 'softer' heats. Hull's win was a real team effort with all (bar one!) contributing. Only Garry Stead joined Smith on double figures.
Peter Carr continued with his impressive away form with another 17-point haul. Jan Andersen provided support with a paid 13 points but only managed to win one heat. André Compton had one good heat win but wasn't able to deliver the points that would have been expected from Robert Eriksson. Ben Shields had a fair meeting without beating any of the home top-four.
The rest of the Monarchs team failed to show the improved away form from earlier matches. Blair Scott only managed one point finishing ahead of his teammate Christian Henry in heat eight. Monarchs' reserves sole points were at the expense of the hapless Elkins in heat two.
Edinburgh have shown that they can compete at places like Hull and will be looking to go one better in the Premier League with a full team.
Man of the match: Peter Carr (who else?)
John Lowe (with thanks to Adam Jennison, Nick Wilson and Mike Hunter)