Horror smash compounds night of misery for poor Plymouth

Simmonds appeared to clip team-mate Jesper Kristiansen and Monarchs reserve star Tim Webster on the second bend which caused his bike to straighten up sending him through the safety fence like a torpedo and on to the dog track.

Debris from his wrecked bike was scattered everywhere but, amazingly, Simmonds escaped with nothing more than a broken wrist and was taken to hospital by ambulance to be checked over.

Plymouth team manager Gary Spiller today said the veteran racer was a very lucky man.

"He was hanging on grimly to his bike before bike and rider headed for the fence, it was a very nasty looking accident and Mark is so fortunate to escape with just a broken wrist.

"I hope there is nothing more serious. Obviously, Mark will be out of action for a few weeks which is a big blow to us as we have suffered from injuries all season."

Spiller continued: "It was one of those heart in your mouth moments. Mark's bike just took on a life of its own and there was nothing he could do to avoid piling into the fence.

"As for the match itself, it went wrong for us from the very first heat but full credit to Edinburgh, who are totally dialled in to their own track. Evening rain didn't help conditions which were a lot greasier than we would have liked but the track was rideable.

"It is going to be very tough for us in tonight's return match at our place because we will have to try and find a guest for Mark at very short notice so it's a case of going back to the drawing board.

"Our first year in the Premier League has been very difficult, our circuit is tight and technical and a lot of visiting teams seem to adapt to it very quickly. Four Monarchs have ridden at Plymouth before and I'm sure they will pass on their information to the rest of their team-mates! But we will just try to overcome our problems and do the best we can."

Plymouth's misfortune over Simmonds couldn't mask the fact that this was Monarchs' easiest win of the season with Craig Cook and Kyle Howarth romping to paid maximums.

It was Howarth's first four-ride full house since joining Monarchs and the Manchester teenager was delighted with his performance.

"Conditions were a bit tricky but I made some good starts and managed to keep my nose in front," he said.

"It was great to record my first paid maximum and hopefully I can keep this level of form going for the rest of the season."

Monarchs were coasting 22-10 after just five heats but it didn't stop them surrendering a humiliating 5-1 in the very next race.

Kalle Katajisto, who is now riding at No.?2 in the team, retired with engine trouble leaving No.?1 Kevin Wolbert to cope with Devils duo Kyle Hughes and Hynek Stichauer. Incredibly, Wolbert couldn't find a way past his two rival,s gifting the visitors their sole heat success of the evening.Wolbert won his other four outings but even this couldn't atone for the lapse in heat six.

Skipper Matthew Wethers had a less-than-dominant night and could only muster eight points which against such weak opposition was a bit lamentable.

Wethers said: "I didn't really ride that well and, even although we won the match easily, I really should have done a whole lot better."

Plymouth had booked in Redcar's Jason Lyons for the absent Ben Barker, however Lyons is not a lover of heavy conditions and toiled a little for his nine-point score which included a second-place tactical ride in the fifth heat.

And while Howarth shone at the tail-end for Monarchs, his partner Tim Webster didn't do quite so well as he fell off twice and picked up just two points from his four starts.

Monarchs: Wolbert 13, Cook 13, Tully 12, Howarth 9, Wethers 8, Katajisto 7, Webster 2.

Plymouth:- Lyons 9, Hughes 7, Stichauer 5, Kristiansen 4, Pickard 2, Simmonds 1,