Edinburgh Monarchs bowed out of the BSN Series at the semi-final stage when they were washed away 60-30 at Poole Pirates on a night where nothing went right.
The Armadale combine led 46-44 going into the second-leg but stand-in boss Gordon Campbell admitted: “Pirates got away from us early and that was decisive. We battled to stem the flow, but it was an uphill struggle.”
Monarchs take one positive from the defeat and that was the return of No 1 Dan Thompson after a collar bone injury. He top scored for the visitors with nine points and a bonus.
Best for the home side were former Glasgow Tigers racer, Richard Lawson, and Lewis Kerr, both with 14 points.
Campbell added: “Poole are a tough nut to crack, but it is one we must crack to have success this season. We will learn from the match and ensure that we come back stronger here next time.”
Monarchs must bounce back at Armadale against Scunthorpe Scorpions in the Cab Direct Championship on Friday (tapes-up 7.30).
Poole Pirates (60): Richard Lawson 14+1, Fraser Bowes 2+0, Lewis Kerr 14+0, Cooper Rushen 7+2, Zach Cook 8+0, William Cairns 6+2, Kyle Newman 9+3
Edinburgh Monarchs (30): Dan Thompson 9+1, Jonatan Grahn (pictured) 4+2, Justin Sedgmen 6+0, Joe Thompson 1+0, Kye Thomson 5+1, Mitch Cluff 1+0, Jordy Loftus 4+0
