Stags Shine in Devon

The 56-28 score line at Plymouth, in favour of the Devon Demons, might not have highlighted the fact but Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Stags’ Team Manager Richard Hollingsworth was delighted that his fledgling side had produced their best display of their season on Saturday. After making the 650 mile round trip he confirmed “With only a modicum of luck we could have scored 40 points and on another day we could have been looking to nab a league point”.

“I know the score line doesn’t really give a hint of that but the meeting was a real measure of the progress we have made in just ten meetings. It’s all about baby steps. We’re not expecting the Stags project to set the world alight overnight but gradually there is improvement as riders gain a bit of experience.

“The star performer today was Sam Chapman (pictured) and his beating of Tim Webster from gate four in heat 13 was undoubtedly the highlight of the meeting but he was also leading Webster and Matt Bates in his second ride but tensed up and got passed late on. By his own admission if he’d ridden the last two laps like his first two he’d probably have won that race. He was looking forward to heat 15 and it would have been nice to have put Arron Mogridge out in that one too.

“However, Arron was struggling in the heat so wasn’t going to ride in heat 15 but could quite easily have been the star of the day. He was superb out of the gate and looked quick and comfortable on track too. He led all four of his races but fell whilst leading heat one, got passed by the outstanding James Shanes in his second race, was comfortably leading heat 8 until a Devon rider fell and he missed the gate in the re-run, before the heat and lack of strength got the better of him whilst in second place on a tactical ride. He could easily have gone 3-2-3-4 and the score line would have looked much different but not to worry. We know we gave Devon and their fans a good meeting.

“We were also robbed of a point when race three was stopped. Virtually everyone in stadium except the referee seemed to feel Danno Verge was in second place when the race was stopped. Danno was absolutely adamant that he only slowed up when the red light had been put on but sadly the referee believed the pass to have been completed first. In fact two Plymouth fans presented him with some money to compensate him because they felt an injustice had been done. Danno had a solid meeting and would have registered six points, had he been given that second place, whilst Steve Jones as always battled manfully and scored a couple of second places in his five. If only he could gate.

“Ryan (MacDonald) and Reece (Downes) had less success but this sport is about perseverance and gaining from the experience rather than letting it get you down. Reece had a couple of falls and caused a fair amount of damage to his bikes but despite being a bit battered and bruised he should be okay whilst Ryan seems to be struggling to get out of the gate at the moment. However, I’m sure they will learn from the experience and bounce back.

“With Liam Sanderson out it was great to give Jack Hall his first National League meeting. He wasn’t fazed by the prospect and popped out in a couple of races and held on for points. It was great experience for him and we’ll continue to give him rides when we can”.

Sanderson is expected to return to the Henderson Insurance Stags next week against Cradley at Wolverhampton on Tuesday 24th June and then at Stoke on Saturday 28th June.

Full scorers:

Devon University of St. Mark & St. John Demons 56 – Tim Webster 12 (5 rides), Matt Bates 10+2 (5), Danny Stoneman 7+1 (5), James Shanes 15 (5), Richard Andrews 8+2 (4), Tyler Govier 4 (4)

Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Stags 28 – Steve Jones 5 (4 rides), Arron Mogridge 3+1 (4), Danno Verge 5 (4), Ryan MacDonald 0 (4), Sam Chapman 10 (4 rides, including a 4-point tactical ride), Jack Hall 3+1 (4), Reece Downes 2 (3).