Workington Comets 48: Edinburgh Monarchs 42
Premier National Trophy
Derwent Park, Workington
Saturday 28th April 2001
Workington won a hard fought match against Edinburgh. There was some rain around but despite that the track was in excellent condition. It produced some excellent close racing with plenty of passing and even a few falls.
This match followed the recent pattern of Edinburgh's matches against Workington. Things were very close with the lead changing hands. Workington only established a big lead after taking a heat thirteen maximum. Monarchs' had limited tactical options because Derek Sneddon had not been given his third ride and had to go out in heat 14. This ruled out a double tactical substitution or even a 'golden double' and Workington clinched the match with a tied heat.
The basis of the home win was found in the excellent form of Carl Stonehewer and Peter Karlsson who were both unbeaten until the final heat. The home second strings and James Mann also contributed solid point scoring.
Workington were without the long-term injured Barry Campbell and Craig Branney deputized.
Gate position B was in used with Edinburgh off 1 and 3 for the first heat as Peter Carr won a rare toss.
Heat 1: Carl Stonehewer, Robert Eriksson, Lee Smethills, Blair Scott [66.0]
Carl Stonehewer made the start from Robert Eriksson while Lee Smethills edged out Blair Scott.
(4-2) (4-2)
Heat 2: Christian Henry, James Mann, Derek Sneddon, Craig Branney [69.0]
This heat was re-run after the first was deemed an 'unsatisfactory start'. In the re-run, James Mann made the start ahead of Christian Henry and Craig Branney. Henry drew level with Mann and kept winding it on around the outside to pass by the third bend. Henry then pulled away for an easy win. Derek Sneddon recovered from a poor start to close in on Branney and was rewarded when the Comets youngster fell on the third bend and restarted.
(2-4) (6-6)
Heat 3: Peter Carr, Rusty Harrison, René Aas, Mick Powell [68.3]
Mick Powell made the start ahead of Peter Carr and Rusty Harrison. Powell looked to be heading for a win when he fell on the third bend. Everyone avoided Powell who restarted rapidly and set off after Aas. He closed right in but was never going to make up the ground on the Estonian.
(2-4) (8-10)
Heat 4: Peter Karlsson, Jan Andersen, Derek Sneddon, Craig Branney [67.3]
Peter Karlsson produced an impressive win over Jan Andersen. Derek Sneddon was third but again seemed down on speed and Branney swept past on the back straight. Sneddon came back and passed on the third bend. Branney then fell when last.
(3-3) (11-13)
Heat 5: Robert Eriksson, Mick Powell, Rusty Harrison, Blair Scott [68.2]
Robert Eriksson gated to beat Mick Powell. Rusty Harrison was passed by Blair Scott but came back to re-pass on the home straight.
(3-3) (14-16)
Heat 6: Carl Stonehewer, Christian Henry, Lee Smethills, Jan Andersen [68.2]
Carl Stonehewer was first away ahead of Jan Andersen and Christian Henry. Lee Smethills produced a superb cut back on the first/second bend to tuck in behind Stonehewer. Jan Andersen chased for a lap or so but was making no impression. Christian Henry lost patience and passed his partner on the fourth bend and set of after Smethills. Henry rounded off a great rider by sweeping past Smethills to take second place.
(4-2) (18-18)
Heat 7: Peter Karlsson, Peter Carr, James Mann, René Aas [66.7]
Peter Karlsson came up with another impressive win beating Peter Carr. James Mann and René Aas had a passing duel tat was eventually won by the home rider.
(4-2) (22-20)
Heat 8: Lee Smethills, Christian Henry, Blair Scott, Craig Branney [67.6]
Christian Henry replaced Derek Sneddon as a reserve replacement. Lee Smethills made the gate ahead of Blair Scott. Christian Henry took up the chase but was unable to catch Smethills.
(3-3) (25-23)
Heat 9: Jan Andersen, Mick Powell, Rusty Harrison, Christian Henry [66.8]
Jan Andersen finally produced a start and held off a challenge from Mick Powell. Christian Henry had a great ride and looked to be on the way to third place when he made a slip on the last bend allowing Rusty Harrison through.
(3-3) (28-26)
Heat 10: Carl Stonehewer, Peter Carr, Lee Smethills, René Aas [66.8]
In a tight start Stonehewer appeared to be baulked by Smethills coming out of the second bend allowing Carr to establish a lead. Stonehewer chased Carr hard and eventually passed on the last lap to win in impressive style.
(4-2) (32-28)
Heat 11: Peter Karlsson, Robert Eriksson, Christian Henry, James Mann [67.4]
Karlsson had his third straight win after beating Eriksson from the start. Christian Henry in as a reserve change for Blair Scott missed the start yet again but had little difficulty rounding James Mann to tie the heat.
(3-3) (35-31)
Heat 12: Peter Carr, Mick Powell, James Mann [67.4]
James Mann replaced Craig Branney while Edinburgh surprisingly opted not to bring in Derek Sneddon to clear his third ride. Peter Carr headed Mick Powell while Christian Henry fell trying to pass James Mann. The effects of fatigue after riding in four heats out of the last five may have been a factor. He restarted but subsequently retired.
(3-3) (38-34)
Heat 13: Peter Karlsson, Carl Stonehewer, Robert Eriksson, Jan Andersen [67.8]
Robert Eriksson gated ahead of Karlsson and Stonehewer but was picked off by the home pairing to give the Comets a potentially match winning lead.
(5-1) (43-35)
Heat 14: Peter Carr, Rusty Harrison, James Mann, Derek Sneddon [67.4]
Monarchs' tactical options were limited by the failure to clear Sneddon's third ride. Peter Carr was brought in as a tactical substitute for Aas and won easily. Derek Sneddon chased James Mann throughout but trailed in last as Workington secured all three points.
(3-3) (46-38)
Heat 15: Peter Carr, Carl Stonehewer, Robert Eriksson, Peter Karlsson [67.0]
Peter Carr won the toss and went off gate one with Eriksson off gate three. Carr was first away ahead of the Comets' duo. Eriksson somehow managed to cut between the home pairing off the second bend to join Carr up front. Stonehewer wasted little time in passing Eriksson but by then Carr was well ahead and had the heat won. Karlsson tried to pass Eriksson but despite drawing level on a couple of occasions but Robert held on to third place.
(2-4) (48-42)
|
Workington Comets |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Carl Stonehewer |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2* |
2 |
|
|
13+1 |
|
Lee Smethills |
1 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
Mick Powell |
0 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
Rusty Harrison |
2 |
1* |
1* |
2 |
|
|
|
6+2 |
|
Peter Karlsson |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
|
12 |
|
James Mann |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1* |
1* |
|
|
5+2 |
|
Craig Branney |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
Edinburgh Monarchs |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Robert Eriksson |
2 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
9 |
|
Blair Scott |
0 |
0 |
1* |
|
|
|
|
1+1 |
|
Peter Carr |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
16 |
|
René Aas |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Jan Andersen |
2 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
Christian Henry |
3 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
1* |
R |
|
8+1 |
|
Derek Sneddon |
1 |
1* |
0 |
|
|
|
|
2+1 |
Peter Carr started with a rather fortunate win after Powell fell and was beaten in his next two rides. He finished impressively with three straight wins with heat fifteen being the pick. Robert Eriksson was probably still suffering from his injury and his score of nine points is highly creditable on such a physically demanding track. He was only beaten by Stonehewer (three times) and Karlsson (twice).
Christian Henry produced some exciting outside line passing on his way to a big score. It was arguably his most impressive performance for Edinburgh. With a bit of luck he could easily have made a double-figure score. Derek Sneddon appeared a bit down on speed in his early rides but what was expected of him.
The Monarchs middle-order all struggled for points. Jan Andersen had some tough rides but his score of five was disappointing. Neither Blair Scott nor René Aas ever got going against strong opposition.
Peter Karlsson and Carl Stonehewer were very impressive and looked set for maximums until Peter Carr had his say in the final heat. Mick Powell had a subdued meeting and only beat Monarchs' reserves and second strings.
Lee Smethills was very steady and produced some good first bends. Rusty Harrison is probably finding life a bit tougher at number four than he did at reserve and was to an extent overshadowed by his fellow Australian Christian Henry. James Mann is also showing signs of improving. Craig Branney was quite fast but he fell in his two opening rides.
Man of the match: Peter Carr/Carl Stonehewer
Most exciting rider: Christian Henry
John Lowe