REACTION: NEWMAN MAKES ANOTHER MAX AGAINST MONARCHS

Resplendent in his new club kevlars, Kyle Newman dropped into the reserve berth for the first time this season and scored his first maximum since September 2023 as he helped steer the Pirates to a fourth consecutive BSN Series final.
 

The British weather did its best to influence the meeting, but the Poole track crew worked hard to get the circuit raceable after heavy showers throughout the day. Although the meeting was subject to a delay of nearly half an hour, the Pirates rapidly took control, running up their second score of 60 or more this season.

For maximum man Kyle Newman, it was a case of déjà vu, as his previous unbeaten performance also came against the Scottish side, when the Pirates rode at Armadale in a league match in August 2023. Accepting the Rider of the Night Award, selected by meeting sponsors Meridian Lifts, Newman said of his maximum: 

‘That’s my first one for a while, so yeah, a good night for me and a good night for the team. Everybody was flying, so onwards and upwards. To be honest, the number on my back doesn’t really bother me. It is what’s on your chest that is important when you are riding for this club. You know you have to stand up and deliver.’

He was joined by Richard Lawson in terms of unbeaten riders, the Rocketman stringing together four wins, including a spectacular move in heat 10 when initially caught in traffic at the first turn. He then followed team-mate Lewi Kerr home in heat 15, but admitted: 

‘A win or a paid win, it doesn’t matter. It’s all the same when the money comes through from Matt. But, no, it was a good team performance. The track staff worked hard to get it into shape. It was pretty tricky, but it turned out pretty good in the end.

I must hold my hands up for heat thirteen. I made a mistake as I didn’t realise it was Zach outside of me and I must apologise to him for not leaving any room. I think I am going to have to get my contact lenses checked out.’

Lawson was referring to the incident that saw skipper Zach Cook come down at the pit turn when he was left with no room to turn as all four riders came out of the north bend. Cook revealed that he had done no known damage in the fall but was clearly disappointed with his early end to a night’s work.

The delay to the meeting worked in Kye Thomson’s favour, as he had been held up in traffic on the way to the stadium and would have missed his opening ride had the meeting started on time. As it was, that proved to be a frustrating one for him, as he picked up a warning for not remaining stationary at the start and then slid off as he tried to navigate the first turn.

Edinburgh’s resistance came essentially from Dan Thompson, returning to the saddle after a collarbone injury had sidelined him. The conditions were hardly ideal for him, but he contributed nine of the Monarchs’ 30-point total.

• Poole will meet the winners of the Berwick v Redcar (current holders) tie which is due to be ridden on July 3rd (at Redcar) and July 18th (Berwick)

Scorers:
POOLE 60 -Richard Lawson 14+1 (3,3,3,3,2') ,Lewis Kerr 14 (3,2,3,3,3) ,Kyle Newman 9+3 (2',2',3,2') ,Zach Cook 8 (3,2,3,FD) ,Cooper Rushen 7+2 (2',1',1,3) ,William Cairns 6+2 (3,1',0,2') ,Fraser Bowes 2 (R,1,F,1)
EDINBURGH 30 -Dan Thompson 9+1 (2,3,1',2,1) ,Justin Sedgmen 6 (R,3,2,1) ,Kye Thomson 5+1 (F,2,2,1',0) ,Jonatan Grahn 4+2 (1',0,1',2) ,Jordy Loftus 4 (1,1,0,2,0,RS) ,Mitchell Cluff 1 (R,RS,R,RS,1) ,Joe Thompson 1 (1,0,0,FD)

Full Heat details

Photo credit Tony Hartmann