Scintillating Scorpions smash Sheffield

SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS 55 SHEFFIELD TIGERS 35 (CHAMPIONSHIP)

HEB Scunthorpe Scorpions destroyed hapless local rivals Sheffield Tigers by 55-35 at the Eddie Wright Raceway last night (Friday).

Scorpions were in simply unstoppable mood, led by an awesome performance by Josh Auty.

In Heat 13, the Yorkshireman spent the whole race nipping at the heels of the Sheffield pair, before an incredible move on the final bend that saw him swoop past Danny King and Kyle Howarth in a single blow.

Auty won his final four rides to score 13 points, while Danny Ayres had another good meeting, registering 9+1.

Scorpions’ guest riders did themselves proud, with Tero Aarnio (11), Ryan Douglas (8) and Alfie Bowtell (7+2) all coming up trumps.

Speaking post-meeting, Scorpions’ team manager Dave Peet said: “I’m very, very pleased with this performance – we were simply superb.

“Some of our riders, with all the recent rain offs, had hardly been on a bike in competitive action during the last month. But, tonight, they looked like they’d never been away.

“It was important for us to get that first league win on the board, and a big confidence booster for our home meetings in weeks to come.

“Josh Auty was Josh Auty – he always bangs in the points around here, and he never knows when he’s beaten. His move to go around both the Sheffield pair on the final bend of Heat 13 was simply out of this world.

“Danny Ayres had another very strong meeting, while Stefan Nielsen rode well and better than his score suggests.

“Our sincere thanks goes out to all three guest riders, Tero Aarnio, Ryan Douglas and Alfie Bowtell, who all raced their hearts out.”

Sheffield’s Zaine Kennedy crashed out of the meeting in Heat 2 with suspected broken ribs.

SCUNTHORPE 55: Josh Auty 13, Tero Aarnio 11, Danny Ayres 9+1, Ryan Douglas 8, Alfie Bowtell 7+3, Stefan Nielsen 5+1, Ryan Kinsley 2.
SHEFFIELD 35: Danny King 11, Kyle Howarth 9+1, Josh MacDonald 8+2, Broc Nicol 5, Ty Proctor 3+1, Drew Kemp 0, Zaine Kennedy 0.

* HEB Scorpions are back in action tonight (Saturday) at Eastbourne’s Arlington Stadium. Scorpions use rider replacement for Jake Allen at No 2, while Danny Ayres moves to No 3, Broc Nicol guests at No 5 and Richard Andrews at No 6. Team: 1. Josh Auty, 2. R/R for Jake Allen, 3. Danny Ayres, 4. Stefan Nielsen, 5. Broc Nicol (guest), 6. Richard Andrews (guest), 7. Ryan Kinsley.