SGB Knockout Cup, semi-final, first-leg: Edinburgh Monarchs 52, Newcastle Diamonds 38; SGB Championship: Glasgow Tigers 62, Birmingham Brummies 28
Cameron Heeps powered to 13 points from five rides as Edinburgh Monarchs claimed a 14-point lead from the first-leg of the SGB Knockout Cup semi-final at Armadale.
The return is on Tyneside on Sunday (6.30pm) and skipper Ricky Wells and comeback man Josh Pickering, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury, both scored ten points.
Former Monarchs star Steve Worrall was best for the visitors with 13 points from six starts with another ex-Edinburgh racer, Max Clegg, chipping in with 12 from six rides at Reserve.
Elsewhere, Glasgow Tigers hammered injury-hit Birmingham Brummies 62-28 after leading 32-16 after Heat Eight.
The home side kept up their pressure to cruise home with Rasmus Jensen claiming a 15-point maximum and Paul Starke scoring 13 points.
Craig Cook accumulated 12 points and Claus Vissing 11 in the rout with James Shanes top scoring for the visitors with eight points followed by seven from Paco Castagna and guest Kevin Doolan, skipper of Berwick Bandits.
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