MONARCHS BOOST PLAY-OFF BID

EDINBURGH’S rapid start at Armadale proved enough to put their Cab Direct Championship clash with Plymouth well out of the visitors’ reach.

The Monarchs won 51-39 to move up to third place in the standings, having gone 14 points ahead by the completion of Heat 6.

Captain Paco Castagna won his first four races to finish with 13 points and Justin Sedgmen was also in double figures with 10+1 as the home side claimed all three points available from the meeting to remain firmly in the frame for the play-offs.

However, the Gladiators finished well thanks to a trio of 5-1s in Heats 11, 13 and 15 from Nicolai Klindt and Scott Nicholls.

Danish star Klindt dropped just one point as he collected a classy 17 points whilst Nicholls – in his first meeting since serious injury last October – changed bikes after his first two rides and then partnered Klindt to each of the three maximums as he finished on 7+3.

Castagna said: “Who would have thought that I wouldn’t be happy with 13 points? I’ve been pushing hard for the last couple of weeks to get something going here – I found a great setup and I was making starts and felt very comfortable.

“I was glad to play my part for the team, which I hadn’t been doing. A great confidence booster and a fantastic win.”

OFFICIAL REFEREE SCORECARD
Available here

Photo credit: JACK CUPIDO