Edinburgh Monarchs 53: Sheffield Tigers 36
Premier National Trophy
Lothian Arena, Armadale
Friday 20th April 2001
Edinburgh recorded a rather laboured win over a depleted Sheffield side at Armadale. Sheffield had a rather long tail and suffered from the absence of Armadale specialist Robbie Kessler following the effects of an injury sustained at Newcastle last week. This left Sheffield with little more than a two-man team.
Monarchs wiped out the 13-point deficit from Owlerton within the first four heats. Sheffield then dug in and using tactical substitutions and rider replacement to full effect held the margin until heat 11. As they ran out of tactical options, Monarchs edged ahead and won the aggregate match point by four points.
Robert Eriksson made a great comeback dropping only one point to back up maximum man Peter Carr. The rest of the team picked up points without having to ride that well.
The track was dry but caused a lot of problems in the early heats and not all for the visiting riders.
Edinburgh were at full strength for the first time the season while Sheffield used rider replacement for the injured Robbie Kessler.
Gate position B was in used with Edinburgh off 2 and 4 for the first heat after Peter Carr lost the toss.
Heat 1: Jan Andersen, Blair Scott, Sean Wilson, Scott Smith [58.4]
Jan Andersen made a great start from gate 2 and cut across Sean Wilson. Blair Scott came around the outside and tucked in behind Andersen and blocked all attempts to pass by Sean Wilson who was in as rider replacement.
(5-1) (5-1)
Heat 2: Christian Henry, Derek Sneddon [60.6]
While most were expecting Sneddon and Henry to dominate heat 2, it was the Sheffield pairing who made the gate. Christian Henry gave chase without looking particularly quick with Sneddon at the back after missing the start. The Sheffield riders somehow held on despite looking very wobbly and it was no surprise when there was a bend two tangle that resulted in the heat being stopped and Andrew Moore excluded. In the re-run, Hodgson again made the start. Christian Henry passed after a couple of laps. Moore made a slip on the fourth bend of lap 3 and Sneddon closed right up. Derek then made a sweet inside pass on the first bend of the last lap with Hodgson then losing it and hitting the second bend fence.
(5-0) (10-1)
Heat 3: Peter Carr, Simon Stead, Christian Henry, Adam Allott [57.9]
Ben Shields appeared to have clutch problems and was dragged into the tapes. Christian Henry came in t replace him. Peter Carr won as he pleased from Simon Stead. Christian Henry pressed Stead hard for a lap or so before settling for third. Adam Allott made a late surge but couldn't catch Henry.
(4-2) (14-3)
Heat 4: Robert Eriksson, Sean Wilson, Derek Sneddon, Andrew Moore [58.4]
Robert Eriksson made his comeback race against Sean Wilson and did not disappoint with a characteristic start. Sean Wilson was unable to pass and with Derek Sneddon seeing off Andrew Moore, Monarchs had overcome the 13-point deficit from Thursday's match at Owlerton.
(4-2) (18-5)
Heat 5: Peter Carr, Adam Allott, Scott Smith [61.4]
Adam Allott came in as rider replacement. Peter Carr had no problems in this heat. Ben Shields missed the start but soon forced his way inside Adam Allott and set off after Scott Smith. He tried to pass on the exit from the third bend but spun and pulled off the track. Scott Smith then fell on the first bend and restarted three-quarters of a lap behind to collect a gifted point.
(3-3) (21-8)
Heat 6: Sean Wilson, Jan Andersen, Blair Scott, Lee Hodgson [58.3]
Sean Wilson gated and headed Jan Andersen and Blair Scott home.
(3-3) (24-11)
Heat 7: Robert Eriksson, Simon Stead, Christian Henry, Adam Allott [59.1]
Eriksson wasn't particularly quick out of the gate but produced a superb second bend to lead. Christian Henry again had a go at Stead. This heat advantage put Monarchs two points ahead on aggregate.
(4-2) (28-13)
Heat 8: Simon Stead, Blair Scott, Derek Sneddon, Scott Smith [58.2]
Simon Stead replaced Andrew Moore as a tactical substitute. Stead beat Blair Scott away from the tapes and won. Derek Sneddon held off Scott Smith and appeared set to take an easy third place. However Scott Smith closed up on the last lap and tried a big one off the last bend only to nearly lose control.
(3-3) (31-16)
Heat 9: Peter Carr, Sean Wilson, Ben Shields [57.9]
Peter Carr was slow away but used an outrageous second bend cutback to get inside Wilson on the back straight. Ben Shields held an easy third place with Hodgson falling at the back, restarting and subsequently retiring.
(4-2) (35-18)
Heat 10: Sean Wilson, Simon Stead, Jan Andersen, Blair Scott [58.4]
Sean Wilson replaced Adam Allott as a tactical substitute. Wilson made the gate and was gone. Jan Andersen and Blair Scott appeared to have the minor placings secure until Simon Stead riding a tight inside line cut inside first Scott and then Andersen to give Sheffield a 5-1. This levelled the aggregate scores.
(1-5) (36-23)
Heat 11: Simon Stead, Robert Eriksson, Christian Henry, Scott Smith [58.5]
Simon Stead came in as rider replacement and inflicted the only defeat on Robert Eriksson. It could have been worse as Scott Smith holding a clear third place somehow got past Eriksson. Robert came back to take second place and then Christian Henry also passed the hapless Smith.
(3-3) (39-26)
Heat 12: Peter Carr, Simon Stead, Derek Sneddon, Andrew Moore [58.8]
Andrew Moore replaced Lee Hodgson as a reserve change to clear his third ride. Carr and Sneddon gated with Stead at the back. Carr pulled well ahead as Sneddon held off Stead until the middle of the second lap.
(4-2) (43-28)
Heat 13: Robert Eriksson, Sean Wilson, Jan Andersen, Scott Smith [58.6]
Scott Smith came in for Kessler as rider replacement. Robert Eriksson made the start to beat Sean Wilson with Jan Andersen third.
(4-2) (47-30)
Heat 14: Adam Allott, Ben Shields, Christian Henry, Scott Smith [60.2]
Scott Smith replaced Andrew Moore as a tactical substitute. The two Sheffield riders made the start. Ben Shields soon slipped inside Smith and eventually Christian Henry followed suit.
(3-3) (50-33)
Heat 15: Peter Carr, Sean Wilson, Simon Stead, Jan Andersen [58.3]
With Sheffield needing a 5-1 to force a run-off for the aggregate match point, Eriksson was not risked in this heat. Carr won without trouble but Andersen was at the back.
(3-3) (53-36)
|
Edinburgh Monarchs |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Jan Andersen |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
|
0 |
|
Blair Scott |
2* |
1* |
2 |
0 |
|
|
5+2 |
|
|
Peter Carr |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
15 |
|
|
Ben Shields |
T |
F |
1 |
2 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Robert Eriksson |
3 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
Christian Henry |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1* |
1* |
7+2 |
||
|
Derek Sneddon |
2* |
1 |
1* |
1 |
|
|
|
5+2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sheffield Tigers |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Robbie Kessler |
Rider replacement |
|
|
(6) |
||||
|
Scott Smith |
0 |
1* |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
1+1 |
|
Simon Stead |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2* |
3 |
2 |
1* |
15+2 |
|
Adam Allott |
0 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
Sean Wilson |
1 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
15 |
|
Lee Hodgson |
F |
0 |
R |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
Andrew Moore |
X |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
The long awaited return of Robert Eriksson provided the stability that Edinburgh have lacked, at least at Armadale, during his absence. With Robert dropping only a single point and Peter Carr delivering another maximum, this provided Monarchs with a platform from which they won the match easily.
It is as well that Carr and Eriksson were going so well as Jan Andersen was a little off colour and looked exposed at number one. Blair Scott did little wrong but, like Andersen, he found Simon Stead a bit of a handful. Christian Henry did not ride as well as last week but collected points.
Derek Sneddon had an excellent match scoring in every ride. He was only beaten by Stead and Wilson. Unusually he had to do things from the back in a couple of heats. Ben Shields continues to struggle despite moving to second string. He was unfortunate with a tapes exclusion and a fall in his first two rides. He steadied things later but may be disappointed not to have won heat 14. He will drop to reserve next week and may take advantage of the easier rides.
Sheffield suffered a bad start but made a fight of things at least for the bonus point. They had Simon Stead and Sean Wilson to thank for the fact that they escaped a real mauling. The Sheffield team management used their limited resources to the full extent with rider replacement, tactical substitutions, and reserve changes all used to try and compensate for the absence of Kessler.
Unfortunately for Sheffield, only Adam Allott was able to offer some limited support to the top-two. Scott Smith and the reserves only picked up one gifted point between them. This was not down to lack of effort. They were all on the pace but found the track was catching them out when they managed to get into scoring positions.
Man of the match: Peter Carr
Most exciting rider: Simon Stead
John Lowe