MONARCHS ARE EIGHT UP
EDINBURGH will take an eight-point lead to rivals Glasgow on a date to be confirmed for the second leg of their MAXiCab KO Cup quarter-final.
The Monarchs were 49-41 winners at Armadale on Friday courtesy of another stunning showing from their stellar reserve Victor Palovaara, who scored a massive 20 points from seven rides.
The Swede dropped his only point to Leon Flint in Heat 14 whilst the Tigers dug in to win the races Palovaara was not involved in – and they brought the deficit down to single figures with a 5-1 from Chris Harris and Kyle Howarth in Heat 15.
Harris, who provided a memorable Heat 13 win from the back, top-scored for the visitors with 13, whilst Kye Thomson (9+3) and Justin Sedgmen (9+2) backed up Palovaara for the Monarchs.
Palovaara said: “We are improving, we are getting there. Everyone is coming up with some good heats.
“Glasgow are a strong team especially when the track is a bit grippier as it was tonight, so this is a good result.
“We had a good win at Glasgow before, so I am confident we can go there are get a good result.”
Tigers boss Cami Brown said: “We had a lot of problems tonight. Everyone tried hard. But I’m obviously disappointed with the defeat.
“It’s a big ask. But with no tacticals, a quick start at home and I’m positive we can turn it around.
“Chris and Kyle have given us a big hope to come back in the second leg. They were both excellent all night. Chris was absolutely exceptional. It was vintage Bomber as he produced several incredible passes.”
The scheduled return fixture at Ashfield on Saturday was postponed due to a poor forecast, with a new date to be confirmed.
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Photo credit: JACK CUPIDO
