Motorbiking: Scottish Cup success seals amazing season

Nov 6 2008 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

Scottish Cup success seals amazing season

THE magnificent Monarchs roared to yet another glorious track success last weekend as they won the Scottish Cup at the Scotwaste Stadium in Armadale.

It has been a year to remember for the Monarchs, who have left all comers behind them in their slipstream.

The Scottish Cup was the final challenge of the season for the Scotwaste Monarchs and they beat rivals Glasgow by a resounding 64-26 in the second leg in West Lothian.

The margin of defeat was even more surprising considering the Tigers looked to have strengthened their side with the inclusion of guest riders James Grieves and Michal Makovsky.

It was the same story as we have seen all season, with the Monarchs in top gear from the first flag and Ryan Fisher, Andrew Tully and Matthew Wethers once again rode brilliantly.

Former Monarchs captain Theo Pijper came in as replacement for the injured Derek Sneddon and scored a handy seven points – using Sneddon’s machine.

Frost had affected the track during the afternoon but the track staff toiled and produced a good racing surface. The best race was heat five with James Grieves on a TR.

He seemed to be on his way to six points which might have brought the Tigers back into it, but both Wethers and Tully passed him on the last lap in a thrilling finish.

Speedway’s rules will never allow such a strong side as Monarchs to go into next season unchanged, and the team will have to lose a couple of the riders who have guided them to the Premier League, Premier Trophy and Premier Playoff treble of national honours.

But key riders Andrew Tully and Ryan Fisher will be staying after the club confirmed they have penned deals for next season.

Bathgate’s Tully raised his average from around 4.5 to around seven in the championship season, and recently showed some of his best form when he rode at Elite League club Wolverhampton.

And Fisher agreed a deal despite rumours linking the American with a switch to the Elite League.

Ryan paid tribute to the support of his wife Daelyn, who he said had more belief in him than he had himself, and said “this year at Edinburgh has pretty much turned my life around.”

The remainder of the team will be announced after the annual promoters’ conference.

Meanwhile, Scotwaste have confirmed they will remain main sponsors of the Premier League winning Monarchs next season.