Reading Racers 50: Edinburgh Monarchs 40
Premier League
Smallmead Stadium, Reading
Monday 18th June 2001
Edinburgh put up a fight against Reading before going down by a margin of ten points that leaves them well placed to take the aggregate match point in the return next August.
Monarchs' riders won four of the first five heats but only one thereafter. A retirement by Paul Clews in heat 1 gifted Monarchs an early 2-point lead that was held until heat 6 when Dalle Andersson fell chasing the home pair. From then on the home team edged further ahead. The introduction of Robert Eriksson as a tactical substitute in heat 12 produced a heat advantage for Monarchs. However some complex tactical changes in heats 13 and 14 could not stem the tide.
Monarchs had Scott Robson in as a guest for Jan Andersen while Reading were at full strength.
The track was in better condition than usual and looked smooth and easy to ride on a cool and dry night.
Gate position A was in used with Edinburgh off 2 and 4 for the first heat.
Heat 1: Robert Eriksson, Charlie Gjedde, Christian Henry [61.3]
Eriksson sped from the tapes pursued by Paul Clews. On the third lap Clews hit the fence and retired allowing Gjedde and Henry through.
(2-4) (2-4)
Heat 2: Dalle Andersson, Tommy Palmer, Chris Schramm, Ben Shields [62.2]
An easy win for Dalle Andersson with Palmer and Schramm keeping Shields at the back. Ben was way behind after one lap but closed in rather too late to challenge.
(3-3) (5-7)
Heat 3: Peter Carr, Phil Morris, Dave Mullett, Blair Scott [61.8]
Peter Carr made it three wins out of three after making the start. Phil Morris lifted at the start. Dave Mullett challenged initially before Morris took over.
(3-3) (8-10)
Heat 4: Armando Castagna, Scott Robson, Ben Shields, Tommy Palmer [62.1]
From the start with Castagna away but Shields getting a good point at the expense of Palmer.
(3-3) (11-13)
Heat 5: Robert Eriksson, Phil Morris, Dave Mullett, Christian Henry [67.8]
Robert Eriksson made another start to beat a slightly subdued Phil Morris.
(3-3) (14-16)
Heat 6: Charlie Gjedde, Paul Clews, Scott Robson [Awarded]
The Reading pair make the start. Dalle tried to get on terms with some outside swoops before falling and causing the race to be stopped and awarded.
(5-1) (19-17)
Heat 7: Armando Castagna, Peter Carr, Blair Scott, Chris Schramm [62.0]
Peter Carr chased Castagna all the way but to no avail. Blair Scott took a steady third place ahead of Schramm.
(3-3) (22-20)
Heat 8: Paul Clews, Dalle Andersson, Tommy Palmer, Ben Shields [61.1]
Dalle Andersson came in for Christian Henry. The home pair were away. Dalle passed Palmer smoothly but could make no impression on the flying Clews.
(4-2) (26-22)
Heat 9: Dave Mullett, Scott Robson, Phil Morris, Dalle Andersson [61.5]
Scott Robson managed to get between Mullett and Morris but Dalle remained stuck at the back.
(4-2) (30-24)
Heat 10: Charlie Gjedde, Paul Clews, Peter Carr, Blair Scott [61.5]
Peter Carr made a dreadful start and took a lap to get past Blair Scott but was unable to get near to Clews.
(5-1) (35-25)
Heat 11: Armando Castagna, Robert Eriksson, Christian Henry, Chris Schramm [61.5]
Eriksson was beaten for the first time by the unstoppable Italian. Christian Henry held off a challenge from Schramm to tie the heat.
(3-3) (38-28)
Heat 12: Peter Carr, Phil Morris, Robert Eriksson, Tommy Palmer [61.5]
Robert Eriksson replaced Dalle Andersson as a tactical substitute. Carr made a great first bend to lead as Eriksson failed to cut inside Morris.
(2-4) (40-32)
Heat 13: Armando Castagna, Robert Eriksson, Peter Carr, Charlie Gjedde [62.1]
Peter Carr came in as a tactical substitute for Robson. Peter Carr had a flyer but was called back after Gjedde fell on the first bend. Castagna gated in the re-run with Eriksson and Carr holding the minor places.
(3-3) (43-35)
Heat 14: Dave Mullett, Scott Robson, Dalle Andersson, Chris Schramm [63.2]
Scott Robson came in as a tactical substitute for Blair Scott while Andersson came in for Shields. Dave Mullet makes the start and fights off a challenge from Scott Robson to win the meeting.
(3-3) (46-38)
Heat 15: Armando Castagna, Peter Carr, Dave Mullett, Robert Eriksson [62.0]
Edinburgh took gates 2 and 4. Carr beat Castagna away for once but was overhauled after a back straight burst. Dave Mullett managed to get past Eriksson.
(4-2) (50-40)
|
Reading Racers |
|
|
|
||||
|
Charlie Gjedde |
2 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
|
8 |
|
Paul Clews |
E |
2* |
3 |
2* |
|
|
7+2 |
|
Phil Morris |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
7 |
|
|
Dave Mullett |
1* |
1* |
3 |
3 |
1 |
|
9+2 |
|
Armando Castagna |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
15 |
|
Chris Schramm |
1* |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
1+1 |
|
Tommy Palmer |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edinburgh Monarchs |
|
|
|
||||
|
Robert Eriksson |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
4+1 |
|
Christian Henry |
1* |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
2+1 |
|
Peter Carr |
3 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
1* |
2 |
12+1 |
|
Blair Scott |
0 |
1* |
0 |
|
|
|
1+1 |
|
Scott Robson |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
7 |
|
Dalle Andersson |
3 |
X |
2 |
0 |
1* |
|
6+1 |
|
Ben Shields |
0 |
1* |
0 |
|
|
|
1+1 |
Monarchs did little wrong but found the strength in depth of Reading rather too much. Peter Carr and Robert Eriksson managed to subdue Charlie Gjedde and Phil Morris but could do little about Armando Castagna.
The Monarchs lower orders were on a hiding to nothing against the powerful home second strings but were always on the pace and in contention despite not scoring many points. Dalle Andersson had problems getting out of the gate.
Guest Scott Robson did a decent job for Edinburgh. It remains open if Jan Andersen would have scored any more. It was certainly better than rider replacement the day before.
While Castagna was the top rider for Reading, it was the strength of second strings Paul Clews and Dave Mullett that gave the home team the edge.
Man of the match: Armando Castagna
John Lowe with thanks to Mike Hunter