Speedway – Masters class from Sam but Monarchs still skid to defeat

SGB Championship: Leicester Lions 47, Edinburgh Monarchs 42; Somerset Rebels 49, Berwick Bandits 41.

Sam Masters made a sensational comeback to Edinburgh Monarchs as the popular Aussie powered to a 15-point maximum but it was not enough at SGB Championship pace-setters Leicester Lions.

Masters, who also rides for Wolverhampton Wolves in the SGB Premiership, had backing from countryman Josh Pickering with ten points.

But the Edinburgh side, who led 11-7 after head three and 18-12 two heats later, still lost 47-42.

Lions guest Richard Lawson, a former Glasgow Tigers rider, top scoring for the home side with 14 points.

Meanwhile, Berwick Bandits, minus injured rider Aaron Summers made Somerset Rebels fight hard for their 49-41 victory in the SGB Championship.

The Borders club, who are second bottom of the table, led 34-32 after 11 races but fell away in the later stages.

Former Edinburgh Monarchs star Rory Schlein top scored for the home side with 14 points from four race wins and a second place.

The experienced Aussie also claimed a new track record of 55.12sec in Heat Six.

Chris Harris, a former Glasgow Tigers rider, chipped in with 12 points from five races.
Jye Ethridge was best for Bandits with ten points with Coty Garcia next best on seven.