Glasgow Tigers’ boss Cami Brown praised his side’s battling qualities after an opening night draw at Edinburgh Monarchs in the BSN Series.
The Allied Vehicles Tigers were eight points adrift with four races remaining but secured a 45-45 result against the Monarchs to grab what could be a vital point.
Brown said: “It’s never easy coming to Armadale, and even harder for the first meeting of the season, but I’m absolutely delighted to get the draw.
“It looked like it was going to be a win but Chris (Harris) was pipped on the last corner by Dan Thompson. It’s job done to get the point, that could be crucial.”
Brown the squad acquitted themselves well and he added: “It was hard for Mario (Hausl) and Kevin (Juhl Pedersen) to debut at Armadale. Kevin dug in and produced a wonderful win in Heat 14 to keep us in the meeting.”
Earlier, Tigers led by 22-20 after the opening seven heats and the highlight was a sublime pass of Justin Sedgmen by evergreen Chris Harris in Heat 5, but the home side then took control of the contest with 5-1s in Heats 8 and 9.
However, Tigers dug deep and Harris won Heat 12 as a tactical substitute before the outstanding Kyle Howarth and Harris narrowed the deficit further with a superb 5-1 in race No 13.
Juhl Pedersen took a super-quick win in the penultimate race to set up the last heat decider. Howarth and Harris seemed set to wrap up the win before former Tigers rider, Thompson, produced a last ditch pass to salvage a draw.
Brown added: “To be honest, I was delighted with the battling qualities of the side. I feel Edinburgh are a very good side this year, especially at Armadale. They will be tough to beat. The main thing was to get some laps in and keep it close for the return fixture at Ashfield.
“We need to win the tie on aggregate if we want to progress to the BSN semi-finals.
EDINBURGH 45: Dan Thompson 11, Justin Sedgmen 10, Kye Thomson 8, Jordy Loftus 6+2, Paco Castagna 5+3, Jonatan Grahn 5, Mitchell Cluff 0.
GLASGOW 45: Chris Harris 13+1, Kyle Howarth 13, Leon Flint 6+1, Kevin Juhl Pedersen 5, Sam Hagon 4, Freddy Hodder 3+1, Mario Hausl 1+1.
TALK-IN: Cami Brown (right) in talks in the pits at Armadale. Picture Nigel Duncan
