Scorpions third after fighting off Monarchs
SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS 51 EDINBURGH MONARCHS 39 (Cab Direct Championship)
RYAN DOUGLAS scored a full maximum, as Attis Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions took all three league points on offer after recording a 51-39 victory over the Edinburgh Monarchs at the Eddie Wright Raceway last night (Friday).
Scorpions had already recorded a 54-36 victory at Armadale in May, so also took the aggregate bonus point, and the result moves the North Lincolnshire club up to third place in the Cab Direct Championship table.
A big win looked on the cards after Scorpions flew into an early 29-13 lead after seven races.
But Monarchs’ reserve Lasse Fredriksen sized up the Eddie Wright Raceway track and went from last to first to record Monarchs’ first race-win in Heat 8 and that sparked a comeback by Monarchs, as they also posted 5-1s in Heats 9 and 11, as Scorpions’ lead was cut to 36-30.
A 5-1 from Connor Mountain and Simon Lambert in Heat 12 put Scorpions firmly back in control, before Douglas and Jake Allen clinched victory with a 4-2 in an enthralling Heat 13, in which both Craig Cook and Josh Pickering were also in the mix.
On the outside line, Cook seemed to have the legs on both Scorpions on the opening lap, but Allen pushed him wide, and Douglas took over in front. Cook moved inside Allen, who then came under pressure from Pickering. The Monarch briefly thrust into third on the final lap, only for Allen to snatch the verdict in a photo finish, after keeping his bike wound on around the outside line.
Allen had earlier produced a great team-ride to accompany Nathan Ablitt to a 5-1 in Heat 7.
Zach Cook was a very effective guest for Scorpions, in place of the injured Michael Palm Toft. He accompanied Simon Lambert to two early 5-1s, that placed Scorpions in firm control of the meeting, and then propelled himself from third to first in Heat 14, hugging the inside line to pass both Kye Thomson and then the highly impressive Fredriksen on the final circuit.
Maximum man Ryan Douglas said: “After last week [when Oxford won in a Superheat], we needed to bounce back, and I’m happy that we got the win.
“I’m pleased to get the maximum. I’ve had a couple of meetings here recently where I’ve dropped a point in just one ride, so it’s nice to go through a complete meeting without dropping one.
“Edinburgh came back at us. They had a good reserve in Lasse Fredriksen, he was clearly liking the track and was fast, and they also had Picko (Josh Pickering) and Cookie (Craig Cook) who can always score points, so they got back in the match and pushed us. But we dug deep and got the win.
“I was impressed with Nathan. He’s getting better every week and the points are starting to show. He’ll really be pushing on by the end of the year.”
Scorpions’ team manager Dave Peet said: “Fair play to Edinburgh who came back at us and got within six points, before we pulled a bit further forward again.
“Dougie was Dougie and did his usual stuff and scored a maximum, but everyone within the team from one-to-seven scored points tonight and when that happens, we win. Everyone put in a shift tonight.
“It was a good ride from Jake and Nathan in Heat 7. Jake is the sort of rider where, if you stay with him, he’ll look after you. It gives a rider comfort if they know there’s someone covering their back, and Nathan showed what we can do in that race.”
In the following British Youth Championship, Oliver Bovingdon won the overall 125cc championship in an exciting finish. Archie Rolph beat Bovington into second place in the final, which tied the two riders on equal points after seven rounds. Bovingdon then defeated Rolph in the run-off for first place.
Ashton Boughen won all five of his rides in the 500cc class, posting several highly impressive race winning times, while Jody Scott pushed him hard in the early stages of the final.
SCUNTHORPE 51: Ryan Douglas 15, Zach Cook 8+2, Simon Lambert 8+1, Jake Allen 7+1, Connor Mountain 6, Nathan Ablitt 4, Drew Kemp 3.
EDINBURGH 39: Lasse Fredriksen 13+3, Josh Pickering 10+1, Craig Cook 8+1, Bastian Borke 5, Kye Thomson 3+2, Dayle Wood 0, Paco Castagna r/r.
Scunthorpe win the aggregate bonus point by 105-75.
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP:
500cc: 1. Ashton Boughen, 2. Jody Scott, 3. Ashton Vale.
125cc: 1. Archie Rolph, 2. Oliver Bovingdon, 3. Harry Fletcher, 4. Ollie Binns.
Run-off for overall championship: Oliver Bovingdon beat Archie Rolph.
* ATTIS INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions are back in action at the Eddie Wright Raceway next Friday (July 14, 7.30pm) when the club host Redcar Bears in the first leg of the semi-final of the Knockout Cup. The second leg is at Redcar the following night.
Report by Rob Peasley
PHOTO: Maximum man Ryan Douglas receives the bumps following Heat 15 (PIC: IAN RISPIN)
