Mogridge again impresses for Stags
STOKE POTTERS 66 SCUNTHORPE STAGS 25 (NATIONAL LEAGUE)
AARON MOGRIDGE again impressed, as the Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Stags continued their speedway education with a 25-66 loss at Stoke last night (Saturday).
Sussex-born Mogridge is a second generation racer, following in the footsteps of father Alan, who spent 25 years in the sport. Moggo junior celebrates his 23rd birthday on Tuesday (July 1). Despite very limited speedway experience and being ruled out of a good chunk of this season through injury, he is already showing his potential.
Mogridge started the night by finishing second in Heat 1, behind Chris Widman, but in front of the vastly-experienced Jon Armstrong.
He handed Widman his only defeat of the evening, by leading from start-to-finish in Heat 8, becoming the only Stag to win a race on the night, and followed that up with a second place from his tactical ride in Heat 11.
While Mogridge posted 9 points, the experienced Steve Jones, 15-year-old Reece Downes and 18-year-old Danno Verge all picked up 5 points, with Jones also picking up a bonus point. Several Stags suffered falls, but all were OK after their spills.
Speaking after the meeting, team manager Richard Hollingsworth said: “As usual, there are plenty of positives I can take from the meeting. Aaron Mogridge is really riding well and he top scored for us for the second time this week. Aaron doesn’t have that much speedway experience, but the talent is already showing.
“Reece Downes also performed well, and he was a bit unlucky in Heat 4. He was leading when the race was stopped, after Ben Wilson and Sam Chapman fell. The referee was lenient allowing Ben back into the re-run.
“Danno Verge was again on the pace, once he’s sorted out getting of the start, he will move forward.
“Sam Chapman is capable of scoring points, but he suffered a frustrating night blighted with bike problems.
“I’m glad Ryan MacDonald is OK after a couple of big offs. Meanwhile, we’ll be maybe looking at getting Liam Sanderson some track time on a tighter track, because he had a tough night. But it’s all a learning experience.
“We now have a break until August 11, during which hopefully the lads can ride in Midland Development League and Amateur meetings. We then have a spell of 6 meetings in 21 days in August, which everyone is looking forward to – we’ll see how much we’ve improved by the end of that spell!”
STOKE 66: Lee Payne 15, Ben Wilson 12, Ben Hopwood 11+4, Chris Widman 10+1, Jon Armstrong 7+1, Adam Kirby 6+3, Rob Shuttleworth 5.
SCUNTHORPE 25: Arron Mogridge 9, Steve Jones 5+1, Reece Downes 5, Danno Verge 5, Sam Chapman 1, Ryan MacDonald 0, Liam Sanderson 0.
* Focus shifts back onto the FluidAir Power Scunthorpe Scorpions tonight (Sunday), as they head to Newcastle in Premier League action. The Scorpions are hoping to complete a quick double over the Diamonds, having beaten the Tynesiders by 58-38 at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday.
