Crunch time for Scorpions
ATTIS INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions are involved in two vital fixtures this week, starting with a visit to Kent’s Central Park Stadium in Sittingbourne this evening (Tuesday) at 6.30pm.
Kent Kings are still in with an outside chance of a Championship play-off place, although they would need to win both their remaining home meetings, plus pick up points from a very tough trip to Leicester.
It’s more likely that Scunthorpe, Edinburgh and Birmingham are fighting it out for the final two play-off places.
Scorpions are first to finish their fixtures, and they need to grab as many points as possible from their last two regular meetings – tonight’s trip to Kent, plus their historic first-ever home meeting with current league leaders Poole Pirates at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday (7.30pm).
One victory for Scorpions may well suffice – two wins would almost certainly hand them a play-off spot.
Scorpions are still missing Tero Aarnio (visa issues) and Jordan Palin (collarbone injury), while Thomas Jorgensen is also missing tonight, due to a Swedish League fixture.
Broc Nicol, who scored 12+2 for Glasgow at Central Park earlier this season, will guest for Aarnio, while fellow Rising Star Jack Thomas will replace Palin tonight. Thomas scored 11 points from six rides for Birmingham at the track on Bank Holiday Monday.
Rider replacement will operate for Jorgensen, with all Scorpions able to take an extra ride.
Scorpions’ No 1 Adam Ellis (pictured) held the track record at Central Park for several seasons, while Simon Lambert rode for Kings in 2014.
Scunthorpe team manager Dave Peet said: “We hung in there at Glasgow on Sunday, but just missed out. I feel if we battle in a similar manner at Kent, it can come our way. We certainly could do with a good result in terms of our battle for a play-off place.
“Kings have recently strengthened up with the addition of Troy Batchelor, but we’ve picked two guests who have both scored well at Kent this season, while our skipper Simon Lambert is a former Kent rider and could be a real trump card at reserve. It’s all to race for.”
Attis Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions’ expected line-up: 1. Adam Ellis, 2. Jack Thomas (guest), 3. Theo Pijper, 4. Broc Nicol (guest), 5. Rider replacement for Thomas Jorgensen, 6. Josh MacDonald, 7. Simon Lambert (captain).
