Australian pair to lead Scorpions

SCUNTHORPE Scorpions have completed their side for the 2022 season, with the return of two prodigal sons – Ryan Douglas and Jake Allen.

The two Australians are both huge hitters around Scunthorpe’s Eddie Wright Raceway and will lead the charge for Scorpions next season.

The reveal of their signing is a perfect early Christmas for supporters. Attis Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions reached the play-offs in 2021, for the first time in seven years, and will be aiming for silverware next year.

The full side for Scunthorpe Scorpions for 2022: Ryan Douglas, Jake Allen, Tero Aarnio, Simon Lambert, Jordan Palin, Zaine Kennedy and Ryan Kinsley.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “The return of Jake Allen will surprise very few of our supporters, especially after we’d announced that we’d snapped him up as an asset at the conclusion of the season.

“Jake was supposed to be part of our team this year, only for uncertainty over Covid to throw a spanner in the works, but we always wanted him back and he always wanted to come back.

“It’s great to have Ryan Douglas back as a Scorpion. He spent the first five years of his British career with us and he’s a class act in the Championship.

“He’s another big crowd favourite at the Eddie Wright Raceway and I know the fans will also absolutely delighted that we’ve got him back. Plus, he’s also an asset of the club.”

Douglas rode four times at the Eddie Wright Raceway in 2021, scoring 13+1, 13+1 and 12+1 for Leicester and 10 in a guest appearance for Poole. Allen rode twice and scored 14+1 for Redcar and 12+2 in a guest appearance for Scorpions.

Godfrey added: “If you look at the team as a whole, we’ve put together a team of track specialists around here, including, I would say, the very two best riders around the Eddie Wright Raceway in Jake and Ryan.

“We don’t intend to lose at home all season next season, and I expect us to be a handful on our travels as well.

“Ryan and Jake haven’t come back here for us to make up the numbers. They’ve come back to us to win trophies.”

Douglas, aged 28, previous rode for the club between 2013 and 2017, before a move to Leicester when he returned to British Speedway in 2019.

He said: “I’m pleased to be going home to where it all started for me [in the UK]. Scunthorpe is a great little racetrack and is always prepared well.

“Rob’s passion for the sport is second to none and he’s put together a good side.”

26-year-old Allen made his British debut for Somerset in 2016 and rode for Scorpions between 2017 and 2019. He would have ridden for Scunthorpe for the aborted 2020 season and eventually spent 2021 at Redcar.

* THE 2022 season at the Eddie Wright Raceway is due to commence with the Josh Auty testimonial on Good Friday (April 15).