Glasgow Tigers v Edinburgh Monarchs

GLASGOW made it a derby double against Edinburgh – but only after a tense last heat decider at Ashfield on Sunday.

The Tigers had no answer to Monarchs No.1 Sam Masters, who romped to an 18-point maximum, but the hosts just held on for a 46-44 victory.

Craig Cook top-scored for the hosts with 11, and reserve Connor Bailey picked up a vital 8+2. Masters was backed up by Kye Thomson (10) and Josh Pickering (9+1).

Tigers boss Cami Brown said: “It was exactly what I thought would happen. It was a combination of Edinburgh not being able to ride as badly as they did on Friday, and I knew we probably wouldn’t hit those heady heights again.

“Edinburgh rode very well and total respect to them for an excellent performance.

“We have beaten Edinburgh home and away and it’s a seven-point weekend so that’s perfect for us, and we showed we have a good 1-7 again when we really needed it.”

Edinburgh boss Alex Harkess said: “We just ran out of match. If there had been another couple of races, I’m sure we would have won. If we’d had James Sarjeant I’m sure we would have won.

“There are not many teams who will come to Ashfield and score 44 points. But – we were disappointed to only score 44 points! And we had them rattled.”

GLASGOW 46: Craig Cook 11, Connor Bailey 8+2, Benjamin Basso 7+1, Danyon Hume 6+2, Tom Brennan 6+1, Ulrich Ostergaard 6, Broc Nicol 2+1.
EDINBURGH 44: Sam Masters 18, Kye Thomson 10, Josh Pickering 9+1, Paco Castagna 3+1, Jacob Hook 2+1, Lasse Fredriksen 2, William Lawson 0.

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Photo credit: IAN ADAM