Speedway: Morris leads Somerset a merry dance as Rebels are crushed

Published on Friday 27 August 2010 11:59

SOMERSET REBELS turned out to be more supine than troublesome at Armadale Stadium last night.

Edinburgh Monarchs had thought beforehand that this could be a tricky Premier League speedway fixture for them, but in the end they notched up a carefree 58-35 victory which takes them a step closer to clinching the championship crown.

If the Rebels were primed to spring a shock their cause was not helped when their No 1 Corey Gathercole withdrew from the meeting after colliding with his own teammate Ritchie Hawkins on the third bend in heat 11. Gathercole was totally out of shape entering the corner and looked ill at ease in his previous two outings, failing to score in them both. And with former Elite League ace Christian Hefenbrock in miserable form, picking up just a single point from his four rides, Somerset were basically a two-man side with Aussie duo Shane Parker and Sam Masters flying the flag for the visitors.

Monarchs nailed their colours to the mast in the opening heat when Ryan Fisher and skipper Matthew Wethers notched up a maximum 5-1 advantage.

And this set the tone for the meeting as Monarchs flexed their collective muscle with Somerset unable to provide the necessary number of race winners to trouble their hosts.

Monarchs Ryan Fisher looked to be heading for a five ride maximum until Parker, who was smart away from the gate, headed him home in heat 13.

Kevin Wolbert was the only other Monarch to hit double figures, the German reeling in 13 points, Parker was also his nemesis in heat nine.

Most eyes were focused on Monarchs' new reserve signing Ashley Morris and the 16-year-old rookie made an encouraging debut with two points from his four starts and this included a smart pass over James Holder for third place in race 12.

Morris won the Monarch Man of the Match award for his efforts and said: "It was a bit of a mixed match for me. I enjoyed riding the track, it's a tricky circuit especially coming to it for the first time, but hopefully I'll get used to it after a few more meetings.

"Passing Holder was an interesting race for me and to pick up a couple of points in my first Premier League meeting was good.

"My only disappointment was my last ride when I made a mess of the first bend and couldn't catch up. I was worried about what Monarchs would think of me coming as I do from the National League.

"But when I arrived I was told there was no pressure on me and the crowd were great, I could not have asked for more."

Monarchs captain Matthew Wethers, who is on target to collect a third league medal with the Capital outfit, fought hard for his eight-point total which encompassed a sole race win over Holder and Hawkins in heat eight, and was satisfied with the final result.

He said: "It was a good night for the whole team, everybody chipped in with something, and our new boy Ashley turned in a couple of good rides. We must just try to keep on winning."

Parker was the top Rebel with 12 points but Masters wasn't far behind with 11 and admitted afterwards that he was unsurprised that Somerset couldn't put the brakes on Monarchs.

"Not at all, Edinburgh are a good team and have a hard track, it was my first time riding it and I struggled in my opening ride, then amazingly I won my tactical outing in heat seven which was awesome for me.

"But I was glad when it was all over and that's the first time I've said that about a match.

"But there is simply no track like Armadale. there was a bit of dirt down, and I didn't know what bike to ride at the start so I just went out and had a bit of fun really. "Losing Corey didn't help us a lot and if you work it out Edinburgh have an Elite League rider at reserve, we don't have an Elite League rider in our team. Edinburgh are crazy, they are too good!"

Monarchs are now on 57 points with five meetings still left, nearest challengers Newcastle could only match that in total if they lose at Glasgow Tigers tomorrow afternoon.

Monarchs: Fisher 14, Wolbert 13, Wethers 8, Katajisto 7, Tully 7, Lawson 7, Morris 2.

Somerset: Parker 12, Masters 11, Hawkins 6, Holder 5, Hefenbrock 1, Gathercole 0, Howarth 0.