EDINBURGH Monarchs regained speedway's Spring Trophy for the first time in three years with a deserved 49-41 second-leg victory over Glasgow Tigers at Ashfield yesterday.
But many Capital speedway fans are annoyed that the original – and more important – Premier Trophy clash between the sides was deferred and will now take place at Saracen Park next month, yet the northern group qualifying matches are due to be comple
ted this weekend.
Responding to Monarchs fans' concerns, promoter John Campbell said: "We were very pleased to agree to Glasgow's request to switch the fixture. It gave Ryan (Fisher], Aaron (Summers], and Thomas (Jonasson] vital practice on the track.
And he quipped: "Thankfully, Glasgow rolled over to suit us."
But, as has been pointed out, when Monarchs return on April 27, the Tigers will have injured Ross Brady back and their own new signings will have gained valuable experience round their home circuit.
Had the Premier Trophy fixture remained in place, Monarchs would now have collected another vital three points to add to their previous away success at Berwick Bandits which would have put pressure on Workington Comets who visit Armadale on Friday and are slight favourites to win the group and reach the semi-finals.
The speedway authorities should never have sanctioned the change. Director Mike Hunter is in no doubt Monarchs will tame the Glaswegians again, however. He said: "Unless things radically change in the Tigers team I think we'll beat them in the Premier Trophy. Our team still has more to offer."
Despite the politics, Monarchs will be cheered to lift their first silverware of the season. A 5-1 from Ryan Fisher, who was unbeaten by the opposition, and skipper Derek Sneddon in the opening heat gave Monarchs a flying start and they were 16-8 ahead after just four races.
But a slippery spell saw Monarchs lose a 4-2 and a brace of 5-1s in heats six, seven, and eight. Amazingly, they found themselves 25-23 down.
The Armadale outfit got themselves back on an even keel thanks to a maximum-point haul from Fisher and Sneddon again in heat 11.
A further 5-1 from Fisher and Wethers in the last race secured the cup with something to spare.
Fisher, making his Ashfield debut, was in a class of his own. Steady into the first turn, the Californian, looked totally at ease and treated the Glasgow fans to a series of wheelies following his 14-point haul.
Team-mate Wethers was also good value for his ten points and, despite a shaky start, William Lawson won his last two races in style for a handy seven-point contribution.
Glasgow: Leverington 13, Ksiezak 10, Grajczonek 10, Davey 4, Parker 4, Dicken 0.
Monarchs: Fisher 14, Wethers 10, Lawson 7, Sneddon 5, Tully 5, Jonasson 5, Summers 3.
The full article contains 483 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
