Championship Shield: Edinburgh Monarchs 51, Newcastle Diamonds 39
Ricky Wells powered back to form by top scoring for Edinburgh Monarchs in their 51-39 victory over Newcastle Diamonds in the Championship Shield.
Edinburgh’s skipper, put under pressure by team manager, Alex Harkess, on the eve of the match, responded with 13 points, winning three of his five races and coming second in the other two.
Josh Pickering provided back-up with 11 points and Cameron Heeps scored nine.
Aussie racer Justin Sedgmen, who has failed to find early-season form, earned seven points.
Best for the visitors was Thomas Jorgensen with 13 points but former Monarchs Steve Worrall misfired with only six points and ex-Edinburgh skipper Matthew Wethers scored five.
Best of the former Monarchs was Max Clegg with eight points from five outings.
The sides meet again on Tyneside in the second-leg and Edinburgh will be looking for a confidence-boosting road win as only one team automatically qualifies for the next stage.
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