Dan dares to rack up points for Monarchs
The Edinburgh Monarchs had a week to forget after they suffered two defeats and yet another postponement.
They began the week with a heavy 57- 35 loss away to Somerset Rebels. That was followed up with a battling 4743 loss to the Sheffield Tigers, which at least earned a losing bonus point.
However, their hopes of swift revenge against Somerset were thwarted by an incredible eighth home postponement of the campaign.
The loss at the Oak Tree Arena saw the Rebels climb back to the top of the Premier League table on what was a disappointing night for the visitors.
Sam Masters scored 13 points, including a tactical win, from his five rides and was the only visiting rider to finish with more than six points.
Dan Bewley continued his strong form from the number seven spot, though with 6+2 in the losing effort.
There was a scare in the penultimate heat when Ryan Fisher sustained an ankle injury that turned out to be a small break.
Team manager John Campbell admitted the performance was far from vintage, saying: “There wasn’t much to enthuse over.
“Dan did well and is learning fast. Somerset are a very powerful team.”
The following day they put in a much better display at Sheffield in a match that went right down to the wire.
The Monarchs entered the final heat down by four points and needing a 5-1 from Masters and Erik Riss to score a share of the spoils but it was not to be.
The heat was shared despite an impressive start from the Edinburgh pair.
Young Bewley shone again as he tallied 10+2 including a race win, while Master led from the front as he often does with two wins and 11 points in total.
Campbell was much more pleased with the display, saying: “After the dreadful performance at Somerset it was nice to have a bit of spirit about it and come very close to getting more than a point out of it.
“We’ve obviously got to be very pleased because we were so bad against Somerset and we came here to race against a strong team without one of our better riders.”
It was meant to be three matches in three days for the Monarchs but the rain put paid to that as Friday night’s clash with Somerset at Armadale was called off.
Edinburgh currently sit fourth in the Premier League table and are well placed to seal a play- off spot after an inconsistent start to the season.