Scorpions seek away victory at Birmingham

SCORPIONS SEEK TO COMPLETE FULL HOUSE AGAINST BRUMMIES

ATTIS INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions are seeking to make it six victories out of six this season against Birmingham Brummies at Perry Barr tonight (Wednesday, 7.30pm) – but promoter Rob Godfrey insists there will be no complacency.

It is the first time Scunthorpe have been in action for 12 days, since they lost 43-47 at home to high-flying Poole at the Eddie Wright Raceway. While Scorpions look relatively secure in fifth place for one of the six play-off places, they would like to make mathematically sure.

It is Scunthorpe’s first meeting since the British Final at Belle Vue, where skipper Simon Lambert finished eighth on eight points and Connor Mountain tenth on six points. Lambert won two races in fine style, missed out on the semi-finals by just a single point and came second in the Nigel Pearson award for most entertaining rider, named after the late speedway broadcaster.

Godfrey said: “We’ve beaten Birmingham five times this season. But Birmingham are a different team since we won twice at their place earlier in the year, and the scores start again at 0-0 and there’s a job to be done.

“We’d like to put any place in the play-offs beyond any doubt, and we can do that by winning at Birmingham and then beating Glasgow at home on Friday. In both cases, there’s also a bonus point to be won. We lost the aggregate point to Poole, but we’ve won our other three and I still see that as the key to a successful season.

“We’re also getting towards the end of the season, so this is the time that we’d like to start hitting form, so that we can take some momentum into the play-offs. We’ve got our own seven riders back for the first time in a long time at Birmingham and the key to success in the play-offs is to have an in-form and fit side.”

Birmingham use Josh Pickering as a guest for Nick Morris, who has been suspended for two years after refusing to take a drug test.

For those who cannot make it to the Perry Barr, Birmingham live stream their home meetings for just £11.99 at: www.brummies.tv

Expected teams for tonight:

Birmingham Brummies: 1. Josh Pickering (guest), 2. Stefan Nielsen, 3. Troy Batchelor, 4. Alfie Bowtell, 5. Justin Sedgmen, 6. Sam Hagon, 7. Paul Starke.

Attis Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Ryan Douglas, 2. Connor Mountain, 3. Simon Lambert (captain), 4. Michael Palm Toft, 5. Jake Allen, 6. Nathan Ablitt, 7. Drew Kemp.

* ATTIS INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions host Glasgow Tigers at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday (August 25, 7.30pm).