Throwback Thursday: Josh Dazzles Diamonds

EACH Thursday we will look back at a memorable meeting at the Eddie Wright Raceway featuring club legend Josh Auty.

This week we feature a recent meeting from August 2019, in which Josh scored a paid maximum against the Newcastle Diamonds.

Please come along to the Josh Auty testimonial at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Sunday, March 22nd at 3pm.

SUPER SCORPIONS SEE OFF DIAMONDS
SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS 52 NEWCASTLE DIAMONDS 38 (CHAMPIONSHIP)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2019
Report: Rob Peasley
Photos: Ian Rispin

A PAID MAXIMUM from Josh Auty inspired HEB Scunthorpe Scorpions to a 52-38 victory over basement club Newcastle Diamonds at the Eddie Wright Raceway last night (Friday). The win moves Scorpions back up to sixth place in the Championship league table.

Diamonds put up a determined fight, in a meeting that once again demonstrated that every team in the Championship is competitive and there are no easy victories.

However, in the end, the combined brilliance of Auty (14+1) and skipper Jake Allen (11+1) plus solid backing from the rest of the side, most notably from Simon Lambert (10+4) in seven rides from reserve was enough to see Scorpions home.

Allen picked up an exclusion from Heat 1 after machinery troubles saw him exceed the two-minute allowance, but he was unbeaten by a Diamond in his remaining four outings.

Scorpions conceded a 1-5 in the opening race, but soon exerted their authority on proceedings with a trio of successive 5-1s in Heats 2 to 4, and then held a 26-16 advantage after a fine win for Ryan Kinsley in Heat 7.

As usual at the Eddie Wright Raceway, there was some fine racing on display. Both Stefan Nielsen and Auty fought around Lasse Bjerre in Heat 3, while Steve Worrall just won a terrific battle with Nielsen for third place in Heat 5.

Auty provided a masterclass to cut through the field to prevent Worrall’s tactical substitute from being a success in Heat 9, and Worrall only picked up a point after third-placed Nielsen suffered a puncture on the final bend.

But Diamonds cut Scorpions’ lead to just four points with a 5-1 from Worrall and the hugely impressive Ulrich Ostergaard in Heat 11.

Allen won Heat 13, while Worrall eventually won a titanic battle with Ben Barker for second place, as Scorpions extended their advantage back to six points.

Auty passed Matthew Wethers to win Heat 14, while the luck with punctures evened itself out, as Wethers slowed on the final lap, allowing Lambert to come through to join Auty for a match-winning 5-1.

Auty and Allen then combined for a further maximum in Heat 15, after Allen saw off a determined challenge from Ostergaard for second place.

Speaking post-match, Josh Auty said: “While I’m pleased to get a paid maximum, the more important thing is the three league points for the team.

“Newcastle really pushed us. I don’t think the final scoreline reflects how hard they pushed us – they may at the bottom of the league at the moment, but we knew all along that they’re not a bad side and that they have riders who can ride around here.

“But the boys dug deep and we got the points and that’s what matters.

“We will continue to be professional for the rest of the season and fight for each point and fight to win each match.

“We want to win our remaining two home meetings, and hopefully get something away as well, and finish the season as strongly as possible.”

SCUNTHORPE 52: Josh Auty 14+1, Jake Allen 11+1, Simon Lambert 10+4, Ryan Kinsley 6, Ben Barker 6, Stefan Nielsen 5, Danny Ayres r/r.
NEWCASTLE 38: Ulrich Ostergaard 11+1, Steve Worrall 9+3, Lasse Bjerre 5+1, Thomas Jorgensen 5, Matthew Wethers 4, Max Clegg 3+1, Danny Phillips 1.