Lady Luck not smiling down on The Diamonds

THE Newcastle Sapphire Engineering Diamonds were dealt a double-blow on Friday night in Edinburgh. Not only did they lose the SGB Championship match narrowly 49 – 41 but they also lost Lewis Rose in what looks like a season-ending injury writes Jeff King.

Rose – who is one of the most improved riders in the SGB Championship this season – crashed out in Heat 12 of Friday’s match when The Diamonds still had a chance to, at the very least, take an away point.

The 27-year-old has broken his collar-bone in virtually the same place that he broke it last year. He now faces another season where his racing comes to a premature end and a fresh winterlong battle to be ready for the 2018 season.

Lady Luck clearly wasn’t on The Diamonds side on Friday night. Teenage sensation Robert Lambert suffered engine gremlins in two races whilst poised to land vital points, and ultimately Newcastle came away empty handed.

There was a good return from skipper Ludvig Lindgren, who was the only Diamond in double figures – and he’ll need to take that form in to Monday night’s crucial home SGB Championship clash with the Workington Comets.

Diamonds Team Manager George English was left rueing the events of Friday night, which will make his side’s task on Monday night all the harder.

“We were right in the meeting after a great start, but then the elements and luck turned against us and we left Edinburgh very frustrated and disappointed.

I really felt that the effort the team put in deserved more, but it seems Edinburgh’s will to complete the match in difficult conditions went against us.”

“I’m gutted for Lewis who has been riding particularly well for us this season – especially at home – and it’s a real quirk of fate that his injury is the same one that ended his season early last year.

“We hope he makes a full recovery and can return to the track as quickly as possible. It really leaves us with a hole to fill for Monday against Workington. We simply don’t have time to bring another rider in for Monday’s meeting.

“We have no other option than to use rider/replacement for him on Monday and we’ll need our lower order to step-up for us if we’re going to turn The Comets over.”

GB and Newcastle team-mates Robert Lambert and Stevie Worrall will spearhead the challenge against Workington.

Tapes-up for what should be another crackerjack of a meeting at Brough Park on Monday night will be at 7.30pm.