Glasgow Tigers v Edinburgh Monarchs

Report

EDINBURGH edged out rivals Glasgow in a pulsating Scottish derby – winning a Super Heat on their opponents’ home track to take pole position in their BSN Series group.

The sides drew 45-45 at Ashfield with Josh Pickering scoring an outstanding 15-point maximum for the Monarchs, and it was his win in Heat 15 over Chris Harris and Steve Worrall which took the meeting into an extra race.

This time it was Worrall who won for the Tigers, but with avoiding last place all important, Monarchs duo Pickering and Justin Sedgmen were adjudged to have kept Harris at the back in a blanket finish – a decision contested by the hosts.

Edinburgh captain Paco Castagna said: “All we talked about during the last month was shown tonight. I was impressed by our performance, not in any way shocked, but we showed what we were capable off.

“I wasn’t happy with my own performance, but I had one of my worst meetings of the year and we still won, so that shows it’s a team effort and the boys all did well.”

Glasgow boss Cami Brown said: “It’s clear that Chris got it on the line, the referee got it wrong. But to be honest, we weren’t good enough.

“I’ve spoken to a couple of the riders who were poor tonight. I’ve told them they need to up their game completely.

“It was a great meeting. But it’s a results game for me. I need to get the team to win. That’s my job.”

The group will be decided when the sides meet again at Armadale on May 31.

BSN SERIES SCOTTISH
GLASGOW 45: Chris Harris 11, Steve Worrall 9+1, James Pearson 8, Leon Flint 6+1, Jack Smith 5+1, Ace Pijper 4+1, Paul Starke 2+1
EDINBURGH 45: Josh Pickering 15, Justin Sedgmen 9, Kye Thomson 7+1, Lasse Fredriksen 6+1, Paco Castagna 5+1, Connor Coles 3+1, Max James 0
Edinburgh beat Glasgow 5-4 in Super Heat

OFFICIAL REFEREE SCORECARD
Available here

Photo credit: IAN ADAM