Redcar simply not at the races as Monarchs show pedigree

Published on Saturday 2 May 2009 11:28

EDINBURGH'S Scotwaste Monarchs are simply proving far too good for their Premier Trophy northern group rivals.

The rampant Capital speedway outfit steamrollered their way to an easy 57-35 triumph over

Redcar Bears at Armadale last night and, such has been the processional nature of their last three home clashes, Monarchs must be yearning for the start of the league campaign when the arrival of the southern-based teams should provide them with a stiffer examination at the Lothian Arena.

Having won at Redcar 24 hours earlier, Monarchs were never going to allow their visitors to avenge that loss. Frankly, the Bears lacked the cohesive firepower to worry Monarchs' top end riders anyway.

Ryan Fisher picked up 13 points from five starts but was disqualified in his final outing against Bears' experienced duo Gary Havelock and Carl Stonehewer.

Fisher fell off while in pursuit of Havelock but got up and chased Stonehewer who had also remounted after coming to grief.

Fisher then committed the cardinal sin of hitting the fence again-and this time was excluded.

The Californian, who doesn't know the meaning of patience, said afterwards: "I missed the start and was behind and tried to get a runner on the outside. My chain guard got caught in the dirt which spun me off.

"I got up and tried to chase down Stonehewer and did the same again. I was simply trying too hard to get past him."

Fisher was also less than happy with another blown engine. He added: "It was actually Matty (Wethers] who blew it when

he went out on my bike. It was very unlucky."

Skipper Wethers had an up and down kind of night.

The Aussie had a lucky escape in his first ride when he ran straight into Bears ace Ty Proctor who came down in front of him on the second bend.

Wethers won the re-run but then suffered electrical problems with his machinery and only solved the problem towards the end of the match when he delivered a splendid Heat 13 win against Havelock. Proctor, however, was affected by his early spill and took just two more outings.

His team manager, Brian Havelock, explained: "Ty has suffered two or three falls recently and is not in a good way, he has a pretty sore hip."

Redcar's woes were further compounded when Robbie Kessler withdrew from the meeting early on after aggravating a foot injury sustained at Redcar on Thursday.

Gary Havelock was Bears' only salvation as he collected 12 points from five starts.

Teammate Stonehewer, however, is now just a shadow of the rider who once shone like a beacon round Armadale.

The Englishman picked up six points and the fact he no longer poses a significant threat suggests this could be his last season in the sport.

Manager Havelock added: "Carl would have liked more but Armadale is what I call a 'trick track'. Once you go past that top corner, you've gone too far and can't get it back.

"The Edinburgh lads lie in wait for you and pounce.

"Under the circumstances I thought our two reserves did fantastically well.

"And I still think we are in the running for a semi-final spot, we have still to visit Newcastle and I'm hopeful of picking up an away win. The new scoring system in place this year makes things very interesting."

Aaron Summers gave ample support to Fisher with 12 points from six rides which included two race wins.

And reserve Michal Rajkowski weighed in with ten while he too won a couple of races.

Fisher praised his Polish teammate, saying: "Michal is great around big tracks and that has been helping us so much away from home. That's what we have been needing all along because we can win round Armadale."

Monarchs were 30-18 in front after nine heats despite Rajkowski and Sean Stoddart losing a shock 5-1 in heat two against Benji Compton and Arlo Bugeja.

The Bears won just two of the remaining seven heats as Monarchs underlined their continuing home superiority.

Monarchs: Fisher 13, Summers 12, Rajkowski 10, Tully 8, Wethers 8, Stoddart 6.

Redcar: Havelock 12, Stonehewer 6, Bugeja 6, Compton 5, Wilson 4, Proctor 2, Kessler 0