Glasgow Tigers hopes of making the end-of-season play-offs were extinguished by arch rivals Stellar Monarchs.
The Allied Vehicles-backed Tigers needed maximum points in this Cab Direct Championship clash to stay in the hunt, but Josh Pickering, Edinburgh’s No 1, plus captain Paco Castagna and guest Dan Thompson turned on the power to earn a 49-41 win.
Pickering top scored with 14 points with Castagna and Thompson both on nine and they were backed by seven from Connor Coles.
Glasgow skipper Chris Harris (pictured) roared to 16 points with four wins in six outings but the next best Tigers rider was Anders Rowe with nine so last year’s title holders will be on the outside looking in when the showpiece stars.
Monarchs took heats one and four to move 14-10 ahead and a 5-1 in the sixth race proved a real blow to the visitors with Pickering followed home by Joe Thompson.
Glasgow took Heat Seven 4-2 to reduce the deficit to six, but a 5-1 in the next from the home side thanks to Joe Thompson and Connor Coles moved Monarchs ten points in front at 29-19.
Tigers gained a 4-2 in the eleventh race and closed the gap to four after Rowe was followed home by Matic Ivacic in Heat 12, but Monarchs hit back immediately with Pickering winning the next for a 4-2 and a 42-36 scoreline.
Another 4-2 in Heat 14 moved the match score to 46-38 and the sides drew the final race 3-3, Harris winning with Pickering second for an overall score of 49-41.
Monarchs: Josh Pickering 14, Joe Thompson 6, Lasse Fredriksen 3, Paco Castagna 9, Dan Thompson 9, Max James 1, Connor Coles 7
Tigers: Chris Harris 16, Jack Smith 1, Anders Rowe 9, James Pearson 3, Ben Barker 6, Matic Ivacic 6, Max Perry 0
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