MATCH REPORT: Birmingham win the clash of the Monarchs

Birmingham Monarchs won the clash of the Monarchs as Leicester were beaten at Perry Hall Playing Fields on Sunday.

The home side were never headed after a maximum in heat 2. Birmingham dropped no heat advantages throughout whilst the Monarchs of Leicester were able to draw 12 of the 18 heats.

Both teams had riders missing but it was the home side who faired slightly better in the final analysis.

A costly gate exclusion for Marchant in the seventh handed the home club a 7-2 and by the interval Birmingham were 15 points clear (52-37).

Luke Draisey, on his Monarchs debut, took his second win in heat 10. An impressive performance for someone who has barely been on a bike in 2 seasons!

Ricki Johnson was electric all day, barely being troubled by the opposition on his way to a full maximum. However, on a day of solid scoring, all riders contributed to the team’s total.

For the visitors it was former World champion Dave Hemsley who rolled back the years with 18 points, beaten only by Johnson.

BIRMINGHAM MONARCHS SCORE: 99
Ricki Johnson 20 (5), Ewan Hancox 16+1 (5), Scott Millward 14+3 (5), Chris Timms 14+1(5), Luke Draisey 12 (4), Nathan Groves 10+2 (5), Paul Timms 8 (4), Steve Hodgkinson 5 (3)
LEICESTER MONARCHS: 80

In the 2nd Division match, the home side were no match for an experienced Leicester team. The team, full of girl riders made some great decisions on track and took a deserved win. For Birmingham, mini Monarchs Connor Steel and Charlie Buet Gannon were in the points whilst Rebekah Humphries also battled hard. Jake Steel top scored.

BIRMINGHAM MONARCHS SCORE: 49
Jake Steel 13 (5), Connor Steel 12 (5), Ewan Hancox 10+1 (3), Rebekah Humphries 9+1 (5), Phil Widdas 8+1 (3), Charlie Buet Gannon 7+2 (5), Josh Davies 4 (4).
LEICESTER MONARCHS: 84

On Saturday, mini Monarchs travelled to Kesgrave for 1st round of the Nationals YJL competition which had 137 riders competing over the day.

Charlie Buet Gannon won the C final in the U10s but got better with each race, saving his best for last.

In the U12s, Connor Steel missed out on the A final by a point, a costly one due to the tapes swinging loose and catching his helmet which put him off and was missed by the referee. Worse was to come as he came in fourth in the B final. Rebekah Humphries missed out on the final stages by one point but rode impressively in a very strong line up.

In the U18s, Ewan Hancox rode hard all day racing to 15 points and an A final appearance, taking third on the day. Jake Steel took third place in the D final.

The Monarchs having in total 4 finalists on the day is a decent start to their National hopes and gradings.


Photograph courtesy of Andrew Parr (Kesgrave Panthers)

Birmingham host Poole on Sunday (2nd July 2pm) in cross over league action, whilst Monarchs veterans travel to East London for the next round of the Eurovets.

Keep up to date with Birmingham Monarchs news at birminghammonarchs.wordpress.com, and follow the Monarchs on Twitter with the handle @brummonarchs.

Cover photograph courtesy of Mark Phillips Photography