Disappointing start for Scorpions at Leicester

LEICESTER LIONS 62 SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS 28 (CHAMPIONSHIP)

ATTIS INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions got their 2022 season off to a poor start, when they suffered a heavy 28-62 defeat in a league fixture at Leicester last night (Saturday).

Except for No 1 Ryan Douglas, who scored half the team total, Scorpions struggled badly.

The Australian ruined the maximum hopes of Nick Morris, Richie Worrall and Joe Thompson in the closing stages, but he largely fought a lone battle.

On a bitterly cold night, the track at Beaumont Park was not at its best, with the fourth bend causing some issues. In Heat 4, Joe Thompson lost control on that turn, and following Jake Allen laid down his bike as both slid off, while Allen was the one who strangely excluded from the re-run.

But Lions were the far better team on the night. They had the edge on Scorpions out of the starting tapes, and in the races where they didn’t make the gate, they tended to find a way past their opponents.

Scunthorpe top scorer Ryan Douglas (pictured) said: “I was pretty happy how I rode. I managed to stop quite a few of the Leicester boys collecting a maximum.

“I’ve done a few meetings this year, but some of our lads hadn’t ridden much this season. The Leicester boys were tending to get out of the starts much better, and then it can be a struggle around here, because this isn’t the easiest place to pass.

“Fair play to Leicester, who rode well on the night. For us, we were on the back foot all night and it was a wake-up call. Hopefully, from now on, we will ride better. I’m sure we will.”

LEICESTER 62: Richie Worrall 14, Joe Thompson 11+3, Kyle Howarth 11, Nick Morris 10, Connor Mountain 7+3, Anders Rowe 5+1, Dan Thompson 4+1.
SCUNTHORPE 28: Ryan Douglas 14, Zaine Kennedy 5, Tero Aarnio 4, Jordan Palin 2+1, Jake Allen 2+1, Ryan Kinsley 1, Simon Lambert 0.

* ATTIS INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions are next in action at Oxford on April 13th, before they commence their home fixtures with the return clash against Leicester Lions at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Good Friday (April 15th) at 5pm.

PHOTO by Ian Rispin.