BUXTON ‘Ductair’ Bulls were comprehensively beaten in their WSRA National Development opening meeting of the season as the Edinburgh Monarchs Academy showed why they are top of the league table with a 57-33 victory at Hi-Edge Raceway on Sunday afternoon.

The Monarchs stormed to a 13-5 lead in the opening three heats before skipper Jack Smith and the returning Jack Roberts gained a 5-1 in heat four to stem the tied and leave the Bulls trailing 10-14 after four races.

A couple of drawn heats ensued as Luke Harris and Alfie Bowtell secured victories for the home side before the league leaders hit the Bulls for three 4-2 heat advantages and a 5-1 mid-meeting to open up a significant lead of fourteen points, giving them a 23-37 lead after ten heats.

Monarchs’ number one, Jordy Loftus, took victory in heat eleven as Smith and Roberts took the minor placings for a drawn heat before Edinburgh showed why they are league leaders as they gained another three 4-2 race advantages and a 5-1 to secure a comfortable 57-33 victory over the Bulls.

Team manager Laurence Rogers said, “It’s disappointing to lose so heavily, but they are a very strong side and have already beaten Middlesbrough home and away convincingly, and it shows why they are top of the league table. We relied heavily on Alfie (Bowtell), Jack (Smith), Luke (Harris), and Jack Roberts, who returned to league action for the first time since 2008 with a paid eleven points. We now have to dust ourselves down and put this result behind us and prepare for our next meeting.”

WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE

BUXTON 33:
Alfie Bowtell 10, Jack Roberts 9+2, Luke Harris 7, Jack Smith 7, Jack Shimelt 0, Arran Butcher 0, Ryan Ashcroft 0.

EDINBURGH 57:
Ben Whalley 13+2, Jordy Loftus 13+1, Vinnie Foord 12, Dayle Wood 9, Ryan Ingram 5+1, Jamie Halder 3+1, Anika Loftus 2.

PHOTO CREDIT:
Ian Charles: Alfie Bowtell (red), Dayle Wood (white), Ben Whalley (yellow), Jack Shimelt (blue)