Edinburgh Monarchs recorded their best victory of the season against the reigning champions and current Cab Direct Championship pace-setters, Poole Pirates, thanks to a strong start to the meeting.
The Armadale-based outfit showed a steely determination in the 47-43 win and it was captain Paco Castagna (pictured) who clinched the points by winning Heat 14.
The Italian said: “Feels amazing, but we needed the win. They are a strong side. They didn’t have a full side, but we didn’t either.”
Monarchs were ten points ahead by Heat 4 but that was cut to four but Mitch Cluff was involved in a decisive Heat 12, backing the fast gating Justin Sedgmen for a 5-1.
With an eight-point lead, victory was now in sight, but it was crucial that Richard Lawson and Zach Cook did not get the better of Heat 13 and it was Dan Thompson who ensured that with a tapes-to-flag win.
All that was needed now was a second place in Heat 14 and Castagna led from the start. Edward Kennett chased and actually passed the home man going in to the last turn, but Paco raced hard for the line.
Poole had the aggregate bonus by then, and they finished with a 5-1 from their top two, but the result was a boost for the home fans who saw their team really fight for victory.
Edinburgh Monarchs: Dan Thompson 8+2, Jonatan Grahn 8+0, Justin Sedgmen 8+0, Paco Castagna 7+2, Kye Thomson 8+0, Mitch Cluff 6+2, Darryl Ritchings 2+1
Poole Pirates: Richard Lawson 13+2, Will Cairns 0+0, Lewis Kerr 6+0, Cooper Rushen 2+2, Zach Cook 12+1, Slater Lightcap 3+1, Edward Kennett 7+0
Meanwhile, Glasgow Tigers also boosted their play-off hopes thanks to a mid-event team meeting which sparked a home win over Redcar Bears.
The Allied Vehicles Tigers beat the Teessiders 48-42 in a hard fought Cab Direct Championship clash and Cami Brown’s team came from eight points down to snatch the result in the final three races.
Team manager Brown said: “This is a massive win for us over a very tough Redcar side. They always ride Ashfield really well so we knew we were in for a really hard meeting.”
He added: “When we went eight points down for a second time, we had a team meeting and knew we had to step it up. Our season probably rested on the outcome of the final four heats.
“The boys responded magnificently. Leon Flint was sensational with 16 (points), Chris Harris was his normal incredible self.
“Special mention for our guests again. The 5-1 from Nick Morris and Reid Battye in Heat 12 swung the meeting back in our favour.
“Kevin Juhl Pedersen then popped up with a vital win in Heat 14 with Reid getting third to get us almost over the line.”
Brown added: “We left it very late again and that’s the third successive meeting we’ve done that. It was a breathtaking finale and not great for the blood pressure, but it was great entertainment, great racing and a wonderful finish.
“Ultimately, we have to improve. We can’t be that sluggish and weak in certain areas.”
GLASGOW: Leon Flint 16, Chris Harris 12+2, Nick Morris 9, Kevin Juhl Pedersen 5, Reid Battye 4+1, Freddy Hodder 2, Sam Hagon 0.
REDCAR: Jody Scott 9+2, Ace Pijper 9+2, Charles Wright 9, Jake Mulford 5+1, Jason Edwards 5, Jake Allen 4+2, Simon Lambert 1.
