MONARCHS SURGE TO BIG WIN

EDINBURGH produced their best performance of the season to brush aside Redcar 57-33 for a significant result in the Cab Direct Championship play-off race.

The Monarchs are third in the table and have put four points between themselves and the Bears, with a match in hand, and the Teesside outfit will need more success on the road to break into the top four.

Dan Thompson surged to a 13+2 paid maximum for the home side, completing his full house with a terrific overtaking move on Jake Allen in Heat 15, whilst reserve Jordy Loftus won his first three races.

The visitors were reduced to just two race wins, both in the closing stages of the meeting from Nicolai Klindt and Jason Edwards, whilst Allen top-scored with 8+2.

Monarchs skipper Paco Castagna said: “We discussed on the track walk that we had to start strong, and we did it. It made me so proud of the boys.

“Redcar are a strong team, they are gaters and they know this track as well, so it was good.

“It was unbelievable to see the young guys scoring well too – Jordy, Mitch (Cluff) finished on a high, Jonatan (Grahn) finished on a high. We all did our job.”
Bears boss Gavin Parr said: “I want to apologise to the fans who have travelled. We just made no starts at all.

“It was like an Ekstraliga team versus a Development league team to that first bend, and hats off to Edinburgh, they were absolutely fantastic.

“Last week at Plymouth we couldn’t miss a start, so I’m just going to forget about it and keep their heads up. That’s the main thing because I’ve got a young team.”

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Photo credit: JACK CUPIDO