Monarchs Scottish Cup defeat

Oct 27 2011 by Kieran Westbrook, West Lothian Courier

THE SCOTWASTE Monarchs crashed out of the Scottish Cup with a second-leg defeat against league champs Glasgow Tigers.

Confidence was high as the Monarchs went into the away leg holding a 45-33 built up at Armadale on Friday.

But misfortune cost them dearly in the second leg on Sunday.

In the first leg at Armadale, Matthew Wethers came down on the first corner and took a heavy bang, ruling him out of the meeting.

With his rides having to be taken by reserves Monarchs seemed well and truly up against it facing the league champions Glasgow, but they displayed skill and courage in adversity.

Each of Kevin Wolbert, Andrew Tully and Craig Cook were unbeaten by the opposition, and inspired the team to a 45-33 victory in a match which was abandoned after heat 13 due to continuous heavy drizzle.

Wolbert, Cook and Tully all came from the back for victories when required, and what turned out to be the last race of the season featured both Wolbert and Cook cutting past Tigers’ guest Shane Parker for a 5-1.

Sadly Wethers was still missing for Sunday’s second leg, which meant Monarchs had little chance – and yet with luck they would have won on aggregate.

Craig Cook had a bad time, and twice lost a chain when leading races.

Had he finished these heats, Monarchs would have won.

Kevin Wolbert was also unlucky to be excluded in a last heat incident with James Grieves.

Monarchs still have three Premier League matches to race away from home this weekend – Plymouth on Friday, Newport (Saturday) and Workington (Sunday).