Edinburgh Monarchs v Redcar Bears

EDINBURGH were held to a narrow 47-43 home win over Redcar in the first leg of their Championship KO Cup semi-final.

The Monarchs led by eight points after Heat 7 but the Bears hit back strongly despite the loss of Kasper Andersen in a first-ride fall, with reserves Kyle Newman and Jordan Jenkins outscoring their home counterparts 14-7.

Josh Pickering scored 13 for Edinburgh with Paco Castagna adding 10+1, and Sam Masters returned from injury with 9+1, whilst guest Richard Lawson scored 12 for the visitors and Lewis Kerr weighed in with key wins in Heats 13 and 15.

Edinburgh boss Alex Harkess said: “We would obviously have liked more of a lead. We let too many points slip away, and the heavy rain pre-meeting was probably a leveller.

“Redcar were very tenacious though, well done to them and we will be heading south in a fortnight to finish the job.”

CHAMPIONSHIP KNOCK OUT CUP SEMI-FINAL, 1st leg
EDINBURGH 47: Josh Pickering 13, Paco Castagna 10+1, Sam Masters 9+1, Kye Thomson 7+1, James Sarjeant 5, Jacob Hook 2+1, Lasse Fredriksen 1
REDCAR 43: Richard Lawson 12, Lewis Kerr 8+1, Jordan Jenkins 8+1, Charles Wright 6, Kyle Newman 6, Jason Edwards 3+2, Kasper Andersen 0

OFFICIAL REFEREE SCORECARD
Available here

Photo credit: JACK CUPIDO