A slightly stronger Linlithgow made Buxton work a bit harder for a win than in the Cup match two weeks back. The Hitmen still dominated the match with Neil Painter, Aiden Collins and James Mann leading the way.
Linlithgow had captain Jon Swales back after rebuilding his bike. Steven Jones was also back despite being due to ride for Newcastle at Berwick later in the day. Rider replacement was used for David McAllan with Jamie Swales in at number 8. Rob Grant was out due to the injury he picked up at St. Austell. Stuart Coleman made his first appearance of the season for Linlithgow.
The weather was hot and the rain forecast did not arrive. The track became very dusty and had to be watered almost continually. Gate position B was used with Buxton off 1 and 3 for heat 1.

Heat 1: Neil Painter, Jon Swales, Mark Steel, Jamie Swales [55.8]
Jamie Swales was rider replacement and made a good start off gate 4 but failed to get around Painter or Jon Swales. Mark Steel passed Jamie Swales to take third. (2-4) (2-4)
Heat 2: James Mann, Lee Smethills, Scott Courtney, Ryan Milburn [55.3]
Mann and Smethills made fast starts to win. (1-5) (3-9)
Heat 3: Aiden Collins, Steven Jones, Paul Burnett, Robert McNeil [55.2]
Aiden Collins, fresh from guesting for the Monarchs on Friday had a good win over track specialist Steven Jones. (2-4) (5-13)
Heat 4: Lee Smethills, Scott Courtney, James Mann, Stuart Coleman [54.8]
Adam Allott was excluded for tape touching and James Mann came in. Stuart Coleman was quickly away but lost position and James Mann passed him to join Smethills in front. Scott Courtney then passed Mann and inflicted a rare defeat on the youngster. (2-4) (7-17)
Heat 5: Neil Painter, Steven Jones, Mark Steel, Robert McNeil [55.7]
Another 4-2 to the visitors as the impressive Neil Painter won from Jones and Steel. (2-4) (9-21)
Heat 6: Jon Swales, Adam Allott, Jamie Swales [54.9]
Lee Smethills came in to replace Mann as a reserve change but taped and no replacement was available. Jon Swales beat Allott and rider replacement Jamie Swales ensured a home heat advantage. (4-2) (13-23)
Heat 7: Aiden Collins, Stuart Coleman, Ryan Milburn, Paul Burnett [56.4]
Aiden Collins gained a second win after passing Stuart Coleman with Milburn third. (3-3) (16-26)
Heat 8: James Mann, Scott Courtney, Jamie Swales, Mark Steel [54.8]
Another win for reserve replacement Mann ahead of Courtney and rider replacement Jamie Swales. Mark Steel fell and restarted. (3-3) (19-29)
Heat 9: Adam Allott, James Mann, Steven Jones, Robert McNeil [56.6]
Adam Allott gated to win from Mann and Jones. (1-5) (20-34)
Heat 10: Jon Swales, Aiden Collins, Paul Burnett, Jamie Swales [55.5]
Jon Swales had another good win over Collins and Burnett with rider replacement Jamie Swales last. (3-3) (23-37)
Heat 11: Neil Painter, Ryan Milburn [Awarded]
Stuart Coleman was first to be excluded after falling when last. In the rerun, Mark Steel fell with second and the race was awarded. (2-3) (25-40)
Heat 12: James Mann, Steven Jones, Scott Courtney, Paul Burnett [58.0]
Mann won to continue Jones's off day with Courtney third. Burnett fell and restarted. (3-3) (28-43)
Heat 13: Jon Swales, Adam Allott, Neil Painter [58.0]
Jon Swales denied Painter a maximum with his third straight win. Painter appeared to suffer problems with his engine and Allott took second. Stuart Coleman fell and restarted but later retired. (3-3) (31-46)
Heat 14: Lee Smethills, Aiden Collins, Ryan Milburn, Robert McNeil [56.1]
Smethills and Collins secured another maximum ahead of Milburn. (1-5) (32-51)
Heat 15: Neil Painter, Scott Courtney, Jon Swales, Aiden Collins [56.1]
Jon Swales gated but was passed by Neil Painter. Scott Courtney passed Aiden Collins before taking second place. (3-3) (35-54)

Linlithgow Lightning
Jon Swales 2 3 3 3 1* = 12+1
David McAllan Rider replacement (2+1)
Steven Jones 2 2 1 2 = 7
Robert McNeil 0 0 0 0 = 0
Stuart Coleman 0 2 X R = 2
Ryan Milburn 0 1* 2 1 = 4+1
Scott Courtney 1 2 2 1* 2 = 8+1
Jamie Swales 0 1 1* 0 = 2+1

Buxton Hitmen
Neil Painter 3 3 3 1* 3 = 13+1
Mark Steel 1 1 0 X = 2
Paul Burnett 1 0 1* 0 = 2+1
Aiden Collins 3 3 2 2* X = 10+1
Adam Allott T 2 3 2 = 7
James Mann 3 1 3 2* 3 = 12+1
Lee Smethills 2* 3 T 3 = 8+1

Linlithgow strangely employed rider replacement for McAllan with Jamie Swales at number 8 and then gave all the rides to Swales. Jon Swales had a great match only beaten by Neil Painter. Scott Courtney was the pick of the remaining riders. Steven Jones, who had a 21-point maximum in his last meeting at Heathersfield, never really got going and failed to win a heat.
Neil Painter was top man for the Buxton side but great support came from Mann, Collins, and Smethills. Only Mark Steel and Paul Burnett did not appear capable of winning any heat they competed.

Man of the match: Neil Painter.
John Lowe
Edinburgh Monarchs Official Website
http://www.callnetuk.com/home/monarchs/