Alex Harkess stood alone in the near-deserted pits at Armadale considering what might have been for Edinburgh Monarchs against arch rivals, Glasgow Tigers.

The home side held an eight-point lead with five races remaining but the visitors stormed back to level at 45-45 thanks to a 4-2 scoreline in the final heat.

It was former Monarchs rider, Kyle Howarth, who took the checkered flag with Chris ‘Bomber’ Harris coming home in third place.

In fact, Tigers were on course for a 5-1 from the gate with Harris looking set to claim second spot until ex-Tigers rider, Dan Thompson, Monarchs’ new No 1, slipped past the veteran race in the home straight to the delight of home fans. It was a brilliant move and one which cost both Harris and his team.

Had the Nuneaton-based racer not done so then Monarchs would have lost this tense, stop-start, BSN Series clash which had a difficult beginning with Thompson coming down on the first bend.

Then, in Heat Two, Mitchell Cluff smashed into the air fence at the third bend of the first lap and he was excluded. There was, however, a lengthy delay while a section of the air fence was replaced.

Harkess, Monarchs’ team manager, said: “I’m very disappointed. The match was ours, but we let it slip. We are better than that and we lost points in Heats 13 and 15 which were out downfall last season.”

Heat 13 proved pivotal. Tigers were 39-33 behind at the tapes but Howarth and Harris came home in first and second place respectively for a 5-1 to close the gap to two points at 40-38.

Howarth took the race from the gate with Harris coming under Dan Thompson on the fourth bend to finish behind his team-mate.

Harris and Howarth top scored for Tigers, both netting 13 points, with former Berwick Bandits star, Leon Flint, next best on six.

Dan Thompson was best for Monarchs with 11 points, one ahead of Justin Sedgmen, with Kye Thomson next best on eight.

ALL SMILES: Cami Brown (left), Glasgow’s team manager, and Alex Harkess, his counterpart at Edinburgh before the match at Armadale. Picture by Nigel Duncan

TALK-IN: Chris Harris (left), Kyle Howarth (centre) and Dan Thompson chat with a fan before the match. Picture Nigel Duncan

WALKIES: Edinburgh Monarchs on track to test the surface ahead of the clash. Picture Nigel Duncan

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