MONARCHS MOTOR ON

EDINBURGH consolidated third place in the Cab Direct Championship with a 51-39 win over Berwick at Armadale.

The Monarchs were given plenty to think about by Peter Kildemand and Drew Kemp who reeled off a string of wins for the Bandits, but the home side proved the more solid.

Berwick had cut a ten-point deficit to four with five races remaining, but an Edinburgh 5-1 in Heat 11 put them back in charge, and they added another in the last race.

Justin Sedgmen led the way with 12 points and Kye Thomson added 10+3 with the Monarchs sharing the wins between the team. Kildemand (13+1) and Kemp (10) dominated the Bandits’ scoring, with new signing Nick Morris scoring just two in his first meeting for two years.

Edinburgh boss Alex Harkess said: “It’s a bonus to have everything settled with a race to go and the crucial race was Heat 12 when Berwick used their tactical substitute.

“Justin knew how important it was and he got the race win, it was absolutely vital. Then he won the last heat as well to cap a great night for him personally – and his mum was here to see it!

“The whole team were very solid, but we needed to stop their tactical in Heat 12.”

Bandits manager Stewart Dickson said: “We showed a bit of resilience after a poor start and got stuck in. But this was a match that we had targeted, and we are now going to have to conjure a couple of away wins.

“I do believe we can do it but we have made changes and, understandably, it takes a bit of time to settle in.”

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Photo credit: JACK CUPIDO