Stellar Monarchs claimed their first win in the Cab Direct Championship this season, taking the lead in Heat 3 and were never behind but never more than four points ahead.
The home side held their nerve in Heats 13 and 15 against the powerful duo of Sam Masters, a former Monarchs skipper, and British star Scott Nicholls, to take the points with a 46-44 win.
Last heat hero was Josh Pickering (pictured) with a last to first burst, but full credit also to Justin Sedgmen who made the start in that finale and prevented Masters and Nicholls getting ahead for what might have been a match-winning 5-1.
Alex Harkess, Monarchs’ team manager, said: “A bit too tight for my liking, though it was always going to be tight. I was certainly happy with the determination the team showed, throughout the side from 1 to 7.
“Paco Castagna kept his excellent form going, Kye Thomson and Lasse Fredriksen won heats when it mattered, and Sedgy (Justin Sedgmen) played a full part in that last race, an incredible ride by Josh.”
Edinburgh Monarchs (46): Josh Pickering 11+0, Lasse Fredriksen 5+1, Kye Thomson 5+1, Paco Castagna 10+0, Justin Sedgmen 9+0, Max Perry 1+1, Connor Coles 5+1
Oxford Cheetahs (44): Sam Masters 13+1, Luke Killeen 2+0, Jordan Jenkins 4+2, Cameron Heeps 8+0, Scott Nicholls 11+0, Jacob Hook 6+1, Jody Scott 0+0
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