MONARCHS’ MASSIVE DERBY VICTORY

EDINBURGH are celebrating qualification to the BSN Series semi-finals after a memorable 49-41 win at rivals Glasgow on Sunday.

The Monarchs had been heavily beaten at Berwick less than 24 hours earlier, but they turned around their fortunes with a terrific team display to ensure they topped the group.

Glasgow edged ahead in a tight contest with a 4-2 in Heat 11, but Justin Sedgmen and reserve Jordy Loftus struck a key 5-1 in Heat 12, and the in-form Kye Thomson won Heat 13 with Dan Thompson third for a 4-2.

Monarchs needed to avoid conceding a 5-1 in Heat 15 but in fact they recorded one of their own through top scorers Thomson (13+1) and Thompson (11) as Tigers skipper Chris Harris (9+1) suffered mechanical failure at the start.

Edinburgh boss John Campbell said: “I wasn’t confident that we could do well at Berwick yesterday, whereas here we obviously had two guys who could win lots of races, and others chipped in.

“I think there was a real feeling in the team before the meeting that we had a chance, and they came up with just the right rides at the right time. Obviously a very pleasing situation.”

Glasgow manager Cami Brown said: “No excuses, we were beaten by the better side. We were out-gated, out-fought and outclassed on the day. Congratulations to Edinburgh, they thoroughly deserved the win and to go through with Berwick. 

“We did have a few bike issues for the second week running. But I’m not using that as an excuse, we were second best to Edinburgh.” 

The Monarchs join Redcar and Poole as group winners in the BSN Series semi-finals, with Berwick also making it through as best runners-up by just two race points from Workington.

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Photo credit: TAYLOR LANNING