MASTERS MAX BUT MONARCHS WIN
EDINBURGH collected their first Cab Direct Championship points of the season with a 50-40 win over Oxford despite an unbeaten show from former Monarch Sam Masters.
The Australian raced to an 18-point maximum from six rides for the Cheetahs, but the home side had their own high scorer in the prolific Victor Palovaara.
The Swede signed off from his remarkable spell at reserve with another 20-point haul from seven rides, with Kye Thomson also scoring well for the hosts on 12+2.
The visitors kept things close for the majority of the meeting despite tracking a much-changed line-up, although Jordan Jenkins was withdrawn with a shoulder injury after crashing in Heat 11.
Monarchs debutant Michael Palm Toft (5) said: “It was a bit of a funny day, ups and downs, finding my groove. I said from the start I just needed a couple of meetings and we’ll get back into it.
“I was there or thereabouts. You always know what you are going to get from Sam when he comes back here, and they had loads of other riders who have ridden this track before, so it was a good win.”
Oxford boss Peter Schroeck said: “We came here as total underdogs, and I think we’ve done well to keep the gap to ten points and did the best possible job that we could. Sam Masters is different gravy. He was superb tonight and, once again, led by example.
“We could have been even closer, but a few things went against us. Jordan had an unfortunate off and is feeling a bit second hand after aggravating his shoulder.
“We’ve kept ourselves in with a chance of the aggregate point when Edinburgh come back to our place. By the time, Victor Palaovaara will be at No.1 for Monarchs rather than at reserve and things might turn out a little differently.”
OFFICIAL REFEREE SCORECARD
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Photo credit: JACK CUPIDO
