Speedway – Vissing powers Tigers to victory

Scottish Cup, first-leg: Glasgow Tigers 50, Edinburgh Monarchs 40

Former Edinburgh Monarchs rider Claus Vissing top scored as Glasgow Tigers took a ten-point lead after the first-leg of the Scottish Cup.

The dashing Danish star, who also rode for Berwick Bandits, won three of his six races including Heat 15 in the 50-40 win.

Paul Starke was next best on 12 with Jack Thomas making an impressive debut with seven points.

Monarchs best man was New Zealand-born Ricky Wells with 11 and skipper Eric Riss scored nine.

New Danish rider Joel Andersson disappointed without scoring but another debutant, Matt Williamson, delighted Monarchs bosses with eight points.

Earlier, Monarchs slipped 14-10 behind after four heats but a 4-2 in the next race and a 5-1 in Heat Six edged them 19-17 ahead.

Tigers levelled after the next race at 21-21 but a 4-2 in the next followed by a 5-1 in Heat Ten took them to 33-27.

Back-to-back 3-3 scorelines was followed by a 5-1 from Monarchs in Heat 13 but Tigers blasted back with a 5-1 of their own in the next race.

Tigers took a six point lead into the final race which Tigers won 5-1 courtesy of a win by former Vissing with Starke second ahead of Wells and Eric Riss.

The second-leg is at Armadale next Friday.