Stellar Monarchs Academy won for the first time this season, picking up their first league points with a 52-37 win over Middlesborough Tigers, and that 15-point gap should give them a good chance of the aggregate bonus at least, when they head for the Ecco Arena.
The return National Development League match was planned for Saturday but it is off because of a waterlogged track and a poor weather forecast in the North-East.
It was a deserved win even though Academy rider Sam McGurk broke down on the way.
Scott Wilson, the home side’s team manager, said: “I’m really pleased, I thought we were excellent. I said to the boys beforehand that we really needed to come together to cover for Sam and we did that.
“Connor Coles was excellent at No 1 with a maximum, that’s what we signed him for, and Max Perry was also superb. I’d mention Mason Watson also, he came here to learn to ride smaller tracks and he showed how well he is doing that.”
There was some good racing and the foundation for victory was laid in the first two heats with the Academy going 10-1 ahead.
The undoubted star of the show though was Connor Coles (pictured). He dominated Mulford, rated top man in the National Development League, and Monarchs hopes he can replicate that form in the Cab Direct Championship.
Edinburgh Monarchs Academy (52): Connor Coles 15+0, Mason Watson 8+3, Sam McGurk 0+0, Dayle Wood 12+0, Max Perry 11+1, Mark Parker 2+1, Kyran Lyden 4+0
Middlesbrough Tigers (37): Jake Mulford 10+0, Kai Ward 3+1, Danny Phillips 8+1, Jame Halder 5+3, Matt Marson 4+1, Ben Rathbone 1+1, William Hocaniuk 6+0
PICTURE: Congratulations to Connor Coles for his 15 points. Courtesy of Stellar Omada Monarchs Academy
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