TheScotsman

Good result for the boys. Just hope we can finish the job on Friday - 2nd meetings of double headers are always a risk for the home side. I thought the atmosphere seemed a bit flat compared to previous meetings - maybe the gravity of Peterborough's situation was partly the cause? Two or three decent heats but not as many as recently. The track seemed to have a bit less grip than usual but rode well. Of the guests, Lawson didn't match the scoring that Bjerre would have given, but Kurtz put in a decent shift for paid 12 so not too far off Dryml's potential score. R/R scored 4 so probably a point more than Hall would have got!! Panthers' reserves scored paid 13 between them - all bar 1 against Monarchs's reserves (the other was Barrett ahead of Kurtz)!! Barrett actually looked quite useful, especially on the tight line round turns 1&2 - just proving my point that he might get double figures!! Just needed a 7th ride!! For Monarchs, Justin, Cookie & Sam were on another level, especially Justin. Just gave up the last heat 5-1 to save themselves for the bigger challenges ahead!! Max wasn't really making the starts but was trying hard, though was unlucky with bike problems. Ditto Stevie, though he came through from the back well in heat 14. The reserves were poor, especially so since Panthers' reserves are amongst the weakest in the league. Derek was maybe unlucky to drop it on turn 3 lap 4 of heat 3 whilst a comfortable 2nd. Maybe his wrist injury contributed to this or his form in the other races? Great to meet Scotchopper, Scotland1314 and John a friend of his. Great stadium, great result, great weather, great company - what more could you ask for!! (And if you are looking for a great pub - the Cuckoo in Alwalton is superb - thanks to John for the recommendation!!

Agree.

Well our reserves haven't been quite on the gas recently! Just hope everyone keeps out of oystercard's way when he goes blasting round the boards and bouncin off the bouncy castle!!

3 pts in heat 2, another 7 from the other 6 rides, Simples!!

I sense double figures for Barrett.

Nope - doing the peterborough match though. Running out of match days.

Oh dear.

Still another 4 weeks of this season to run yet!!

3pm Update. http://www.edinburghmonarchs.co/news/article.asp?id=1846&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter THREE O'CLOCK UPDATE Friday 3 October 2014, 15:09 UK BY TOBY LERONE Tonight's Knock Out Cup semi final between the Scotwaste Monarchs and the Newcastle Diamonds at Armadale this evening remains very much ON. As the forecast suggested, the rain of late morning and early afternoon has now clear east leaving track staff almost five hours to get the track in shape for tonight's match. The track was covered overnight in an attempt to overcome the predicted deluge. It wasn't a problem as the deluge didn't arrive. In fact it remained dry in Armadale until mid morning. Since we have experienced some patchy rain and some bursts of heavier rain but there has not been sufficient of the wet stuff to cause us a problem. The Scotwaste Monarchs will be attempting to secure as big a lead as possible to take to the second leg at Newcastle on 12th October.

Edinburgh Monarchs ‏@EdinMonarchs 6m6 minutes ago The rain has now stopped at Armadale, things are looking good for tonight's KOC Semi Final against Above from twitter at 14.55. Covers have been on the track.

I thought Ippo could sneak the 3 points with Risager out. However now that he is back in, they might just about sneak a single point, but it'll be tight.

That weakens Ippo then.

Totally agree. Mind you some of the lines tried by Somerset were a bit baffling!!

I agree. Should have been well over 60 points scored. Let Somerset off the hook. Racing was pretty poor I thought - but it has been every time I've been to Ippo this year, including all 3 matches v Somerset. Certainly all the heat changes, partly due to Allen's withdrawal (really innocuous looking fall), made it a long haul - so many 2 rides in succession situations.

Risager - migraine & abscess. Some hospital time. Said it before but the Ippo fence looks too short. Doesn't seem to stretch far enough around the bends especially turns 2 & 3. Howarth should have been hitting air bags not fence in heat 1.

Indeed - I had forgotten how badly Ippo were hit last year. I was just thinking of how Nick Morris wiped out Joe Tabaka in the 1st leg of the play-off final putting him out of action for both legs, forcing him to delay his wedding because of the injury and costing him his Monarchs team place for this year because he wasn't going to be fit. And quite likely costing Monarchs the title last year. But bitter - moi? - too right!!

Rollocks - I say.

Remind me on who injured whom in the play-off final last year.

You won't be far out with 30+.

Monarchs are the same.

Feel sorry for Scunny - injuries have kicked in at a very bad time.

From Birks to Boxall and now Lemon. High 50's now for Ippo.

Err no - but we know Panthers are pretty p*** poor!! Is Birks fit? No - can Boxall match his scoring from reserve? Is Douglas fit?

Is that the Dr J Boxall or the Mr H Boxall?

Yep I reckon Ippo will hit 55+ too. Scunny couldn't even beat Panthers at the Showground the other week!!