Electric Edinburgh extinguish Redcar!
REDCAR’s recent stellar run was brought to an abrupt halt on Friday as the Edinburgh Monarchs strode to a convincing 57-33 win at Armadale. Such was the Monarchs dominance, they also took the aggregate point 98-82. Dan Thompson hit a sublime paid maximum, (13+2) for the hosts whilst Jake Allen plugged away with 8+2 for the Bears.
Quite simply, Edinburgh were much sharper from the starts, with six Monarchs taking the chequered flag in 13 heats, and with only six last places, it was a night to forget for the “Agilia” Bears. Redcar were forced to name a six man side for the second week running as Simon Lambert was ruled out with a knee injury.
Redcar boss Gavin Parr apologised to the supporters for the side’s display. Parr said, “ I want to apologise to our loyal fans for what was a pretty inept performance, the lads tried everything to get their bikes off the starts but nothing seemed to work.”
Edinburgh started the evening in superb style with a heat 1 maximum as Thompson won, and with Jonatan Grahn comfortably in 2nd, the Monarchs return to home shale after a months hiatus started perfectly.
The reserves race saw Jordy Loftus make an electric start for the win, but with Mitchell Cluff falling whilst challenging for 2nd, heat 2 was shared.
Edinburgh pressed home their early advantage in heat 3 as they recorded another maximum courtesy of Justin Sedgmen, and with the Monarchs skipper Paco Castagna 2nd, the Scottish side were in command.
Heat 4 saw the impressive Loftus jump out of the traps to take the win, and with Thompson pouncing on an error by Jody Scott, he claimed 3rd as Edinburgh collected their third heat advantage in just four races.
The 5th race of the match saw Edinburgh continue to punish Redcar from the tapes as Castagna took the chequered flag, and with ex-Bear Sedgmen tucked into 2nd, Redcar’s 8 point aggregate advantage (in the battle for the bonus point) was well and truly gone as the Monarchs led 22-8 on the night and 63-57 on aggregate.
Dan Thompson continued his unbeaten start to the meeting with a win in heat 6, but with Jake Allen 2nd, and reserve guest Vinnie Foord 3rd, the Bears at least stopped the bleeding.
Gavin Parr looked to turn the tide in heat 7 as he brought in Allen as a tactical substitute alongside Jason Edwards. However, Kye Thomson put pay to Redcar’s hopes of a heat advantage with a win, but with Cluff 4th, the Bears had steadied the ship somewhat.
However, it was only a mini reprieve for the visitors as Loftus made it three wins on the trot with a superb tapes to flag win, and with Grahn 3rd, Edinburgh were making a statement as they led 32-16 on home shale.
Heat 9 saw more Monarchs success as the engine room pairing of Castagna and Sedgmen combined for their 3rd heat advantage as the Italian passed Allen for the win, and with the Australian holding off the game Foord, Parr was left scratching his head in disbelief.
The next race saw Edinburgh again show Redcar the fastest way around Armadale as Grahn won, and with Thompson passing Edwards, the win was almost sewn up for the hosts.
Redcar finally found a heat advantage in heat 11 as Klindt won, and with rider replacement Scott 3rd, the visiting support on bend one had something to cheer.
Sedgmen took a tapes to flag win in heat 12, but with Loftus at the back, the young Australian’s hopes of a maximum were ended in his final programmed ride.
Redcar produced their 2nd heat winner in the penultimate race as Edwards won, despite Cluff initially being given the verdict, but with Scott 4th, there was no 2nd away heat advantage. The final heat of a sobering Scottish evening saw Thompson complete a fine paid maximum as Redcar filled in the minor placings.
It was a tough evening for the Bears and their travelling support. Redcar must put this result out of their minds as another important weekend lies ahead as the Bears host Workington in Cab Direct Championship action on Friday, and less than 24 hours later, the boys travel to Berwick for the 2nd leg of the BSN Series semifinal, with a 27 point lead.
Edinburgh Monarchs= 57 (98)
- Dan Thompson = 13+2
- Jonatan Grahn = 6+1
- Justin Sedgmen = 9+1
- Paco Castagna = 9+2
- Kye Thomson = 9
- Mitch Cluff = 2
- Jordy Loftus = 9
Redcar Bears = 33 (82)
- Nicolai Klindt = 7
- Simon Lambert R/R
- Jake Mulford = 3
- Jason Edwards = 7
- Jake Allen = 8+2
- Vinnie Foord (G) = 3+3
- Jody Scott = 5