Scorpions face stiff test
FLUIDAIR POWER Scunthorpe Scorpions face one of their toughest tests of the season at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday (7.30pm), with the visit of the in-form Berwick Bandits.
Berwick currently sit in fifth place in the Premier League table, with matches in hand on all the teams above them, including fourth-placed Scunthorpe.
The Bandits have won four of their six away matches, before visiting Ipswich on Thursday night and then Scunthorpe on Friday. Their only two league away defeats have both come at Newcastle.
Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “Berwick have picked up a high number of away points – which means either they’ve been extremely lucky, or more likely, they’ve been extremely good.
“We have to be on our guard, and firing on Friday night, because we do need the three points from this meeting against the Bandits.”
Josh Auty is unlikely to be fit to return, after having his appendix removed a fortnight ago. The Scorpions will again use rider replacement in his absence.
With the issue of the August Green Sheet averages, Thomas Jorgensen and David Howe swap positions, with Thomas moving to No 2 and David down to reserve at No 7. Howe has an August Green Sheet Average of 6.04, but such is the strength of Scorpions’ top six, he will still ride at reserve. It’s only a fortnight since Howe scored a paid 18 point maximum against Rye House at the Eddie Wright Raceway.
Godfrey added: “The way we constructed this team, we knew we would always have one very strong reserve. Up until now, it has been Ryan (Douglas) or Thomas (Jorgensen), but this month it’s David Howe’s turn to ride at reserve, which is incredible if you think about it, because he’s such a class act and it doesn’t seem that long ago that he was the No 1 around here.
“It couldn’t have happened at a better time, because as David demonstrated with his 18-point maximum a couple of weeks ago, he’s now showing form. Thomas was a star performer at reserve, but there’s no reason why David can’t be just as good.”
Friday’s fixture takes place on the same weekend as Berwick’s visit last season, which means it is one year on from Ricky Ashworth’s serious accident at the Eddie Wright Raceway.
Ashworth’s seemingly innocuous fall onto the track led to the Salford based rider eventually spending 91 days in a coma.
Godfrey said: “One year on, Ricky still remains very much in our thoughts at Scunthorpe – and I’m sure it’s the same at Berwick and Sheffield. We wish Ricky all the best in his long road to recovery. We haven’t forgotten him, and we will mark the anniversary of the accident on Friday.”
There are 24 heats of action in total, with a nine-heat second half, including a Midland Development League match between Castleford and Belle Vue.
Admission prices for Friday:
Adult: £15.00
Student/OAP: £13.00
Child (10 – 17): £5.00
Child (0 – 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult)
Family Ticket £35 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-17)
Match Programme: £1.00
Expected teams for Friday (English unless stated):
FluidAir Power Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Nicolai Klindt (Denmark), 2. Thomas Jørgensen (Denmark), 3. Ashley Birks, 4. Josh Auty R/R, 5. Ryan Douglas (Australia), 6. Matt Williamson, 7. David Howe.
Berwick Bandits: 1. Claus Vissing (Denmark), 2. David Bellego (France), 3. Steen Jensen (Denmark), 4. Matthew Wethers (Australia), 5. Kevin Doolan, 6. Liam Carr, 7. Matej Kus (Czech Republic).
Midland Development League teams:
Castleford: 1. Danny Phillips, 2.Tom Bacon, 3. Adam Portwood, 4.Ben Hewitt.
Belle Vue: 1. David Holt, 2. Michael Neale, 3. Reece Downes, 4. Alex Wilson.
Berwick Bandits at EWR
Ave Ave Best
Name Lge M R Pts BP (no BP) (w BP) Performance
David Bellego PL 7 29 37 3 5.10 5.52 9 from 4 rides (2013)
Liam Carr DEBUT PL MEETING @ EWR
Kevin Doolan PL 11 53 85 4 6.42 6.72 14 from 5 rides (2008)
Steen Jensen DEBUT PL MEETING @ EWR
Matej Kus PL 3 15 27 0 7.20 7.20 17 from 5 rides (inc 6 pts T/R (2012))
Claus Vissing PL 4 11 13 0 4.73 4.73 7 from 4 rides (2012)
Matthew Wethers PL 8 31 36 4 4.65 5.16 7 + 1 from 4 rides (2008)
Other Notes
David Bellego
Member of Glasgow’s Premier League Championship Winning Team in 2011.
Member of Berwick’s Premier League Fours Championship Winning Team in 2012.
Liam Carr
Riding in his first full season in the Premier League with his local club.
Also rides for Buxton in the 2014 National League.
Kevin Doolan
Member of King’s Lynn’s Premier League KO Cup and Young Shield Winning Teams in 2005.
Member of King’s Lynn’s Premier League Championship, KO Cup and Premier Trophy Winning Teams in 2006.
Member of Workington’s Premier League Four-Team Championship Winning Team in 2009.
Member of Ipswich’s Premier League Four-Team Championship Winning Team in 2011.
Steen Jensen
Making his return to British speedway this season after a number of years away.
Made his Premier League debut with Isle of Wight in 2005.
Matej Kus
Has ridden in Speedway Grand Prix and World Cup Events.
2010 Czech Republic Champion.
Twice Czech Republic Under-21 Champion (2008 and 2009).
2008 Czech Republic Under-19 Champion.
Claus Vissing
Member of Somerset’s League Cup Winning Team in 2012.
Made his British League debut in 2007 at Premier League level with Stoke.
Matthew Wethers
Member of Edinburgh’s Premier League Championship Winning Teams in 2003, 2008 and 2010.
Member of Edinburgh’s Premier League Play-Off Winning Teams in 2008 and 2009.
Member of Edinburgh’s Premier Trophy Winning Team in 2008.
Berwick’s Results at EWR
04 July 2008 PL L Scunthorpe 52 Berwick 41
04 September 2009 PL L Scunthorpe 51 Berwick 42
23 April 2010 PL L Scunthorpe 62 Berwick 28
25 March 2011 PL L Scunthorpe 56 Berwick 39
23 March 2012 LC L Scunthorpe 53 Berwick 40
27 July 2012 PL L Scunthorpe 48 Berwick 42
02 August 2013 PL L Scunthorpe 34 Berwick 31
