Revenge is sweet for Monarchs riders
Fisher shines as Edinburgh side see off Bandits
The Edinburgh Monarchs got back to winning ways and in the process gained revenge for their only home defeat of the season as they beat Berwick Bandits 50-40 at the Armadale Stadium on Friday night.
It has been a particularly frustrating season for the Monarchs this campaign, with results on the track being inconsistent and the weather accounting for five home fixtures.
However, they shone on home shale as Mark Riss recorded his first paid victory in British speedway before grabbing his first win two rides later as he scored five points, paid six and is continuing to show signs of improvement.
Elsewhere within the side, Ryan Fisher was brilliant once again as he tallied 11+1, with captain Sam Masters losing point and reserve Dan Bewley scoring a race win.
Team manager Alex Harkess praised the side, commenting: “The team worked so hard tonight, changing set-ups and helping each other, because the track was unusual and didn’t give us much advantage. It was a good atmosphere.”
The hosts made a good start and went six up after two races, having been perhaps fortunate in the opening race when Masters and Mark Riss collided, with the German providing his best race to date to hold second in the re-run. Bewley then took heat two with a good outside run.
American ace Fisher showed what excellent form he is in by winning heat three and kept that run going with two wins and a paid win in his next three rides before failing in the final heat.
The home fans were then delighted to see Mark Riss win his first race for the club, coming in heat eight to extend their advantage to 26-22.
In the following heat, the younger Riss brother and Fisher teamed up for a 5-1 to make it in an eight point contest.
Bandits’ Simon Nielsen grabbed the visitors’ fourth race win in heat 12 to reduced the deficit to just six points with three races remaining.
However, Masters and Kevin Wolbert produced the race of the night in heat 13, with the Monarchs captain just edging out Thomas Jorgensen for second place near the finish line for a 5-1 to the hosts that wrapped up the points.
Fisher earned a final heat slot as he eased to victory, his third of the night, in heat 14.
However, his mudguard came loose, slowing him down, which meant he finished at the back of the field.
That was the only negative on what was a great night for the American and his team as they look to climb back into play-off contention.
The victory saw them jump two spots into eighth the Premier League table.