Scorpions look to make history
ATTIS INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions are aiming to win the Championship Knockout Cup for the first time in their history, when they travel down to the south coast for the second and decisive leg of the Cup Final at Poole tomorrow (Saturday, 7.30pm).
Scunthorpe hold a slender 47-43 advantage from the first leg at the Eddie Wright Raceway last Sunday, when No 1 Ryan Douglas led the Scunthorpe performance with 13 points and trump card reserve Drew Kemp collected 10+1.
The destination of the Cup is in the balance, since Scorpions have scored 41 and 45 in two previous visits to Poole’s Wimborne Road stadium this season. Poole won the Cup in both 2021 and 2022 and are seeking a hat-trick of victories.
Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “It would be great to sign off the year with a trophy – and it would represent the biggest piece of silverware for us since we won the league title in 2012. On that occasion against Somerset, it went down right to the wire, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it also goes down to the final race at Poole.
“I think we’re in with a real shout down at Poole. A lot of teams don’t like travelling down there, but we don’t mind it. The pressure is going to be all on Poole to win it in front of their own fans. Their promoter Danny Ford is a bit worried, because he knows Scunthorpe can upset Poole’s applecart.
“Our boys certainly don’t need any extra motivation. I know how much they’d love to win the Cup. It’s Ryan Douglas’ final meeting for the Scorpions – since he won’t be riding in the Championship next season – and he wants to bow out with a trophy with the club.
“Joe Henderson’s sponsorship of our club is drawing to a close after 17 years backing us. We’d love to win the Cup in our final meeting as the Attis Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions.
“It will be an emotional occasion if we pull it off”, concluded Godfrey.
Scunthorpe have won the league title at second tier level (in 2012), but not the Knockout Cup. Scorpions won the third-tier Knockout Cup in both 2006 and 2007.
Expected teams for tomorrow (Saturday):
Poole Pirates: 1. Richard Lawson, 2. Anders Rowe R/R, 3. Ben Cook, 4. Zach Cook, 5. Steve Worrall, 6. Kyle Newman, 7. Joe Thompson.
Attis Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Ryan Douglas, 2. Simon Lambert (captain), 3. Connor Mountain, 4. Jake Allen, 5. Michael Palm Toft, 6. Drew Kemp, 7. Nathan Ablitt.
PHOTO: Drew Kemp leading Heat 11 of the first leg at the Eddie Wright Raceway, ahead of Richard Lawson and Michael Palm Toft (PIC: IAN RISPIN)
