Josh returns for crunch fixture for Scorpions

JOSH AUTY is all set to return to the line-up of the FluidAir Scunthorpe Scorpions, as the Scorpions tackle the Peterborough Panthers in a vital Premier League encounter at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday evening (7.30pm).

The 23-year-old Yorkshireman has been ruled out of action for the last three weeks, following an operation to have his appendix removed.

Scorpions’ promoter Rob Godfrey said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have Josh back.

“He and Ashley Birks were forming a really formidable middle pairing at numbers 3 & 4, before he had to sit on the sidelines for a few weeks. Josh can’t wait to get back going again.”

Friday’s meeting will be a tough test for the Scorpions. Both Nicolai Klindt and David Howe have riding commitments elsewhere, and the Scorpions bring in two guests from Australia – Redcar’s Hugh Skidmore and Sheffield’s Taylor Poole.

Team manager Dave Peet said: “Nicolai’s official average for the month of August is 7.05. That rules out the No 1 from virtually every other Premier League club.

“So instead, we’ve done what we consider the next best thing, by bringing in Hugh Skidmore, because he often rides around Scunthorpe like a No 1.

“Taylor Poole has recently started flying recently, and I’m sure a lot of people saw him knocking up the points from reserve in the recent televised meeting at Sheffield. We’re hoping he will do the same for us on Friday.”

Although Peterborough are currently in eighth place in the Premier League table, some 12 points behind the fourth-placed Scorpions, they do have six matches in hand. In fact, comparing home points dropped to away points won, both teams are currently +4, as indeed are Ipswich and Workington.

With Edinburgh (+19), Somerset (+13) and Berwick (+12) all looking safe, it would appear the foursome of the Scorpions, Panthers, Witches and Comets are battling for the final three play-off places.

With the Scunthorpe vs Peterborough Knockout Cup match at the Eddie Wright Raceway in May ending as a 46-44 win to the Scorpions, another close encounter could be on the cards on Friday.

Peet added: “Peterborough were very good in the cup match around here, although one of their star performers from that occasion, Ulrich Ostergaard, is missing this time around.

“It’s important that we hit back, after not taking any points in our away match at Glasgow on Monday. The Panthers are one of the teams we are battling with for a play-off spot, so this is a very important meeting for us.

“Our home form has been excellent recently and we need that again, so that we can take the three points that we need.”

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. Hugh Skidmore (Australia), 2. Thomas Jørgensen (Denmark), 3. Ashley Birks, 4. Josh Auty, 5. Ryan Douglas (Australia), 6. Matt Williamson, 7. Taylor Poole (Australia).

Peterborough Panthers: 1. Lasse Bjerre (Denmark), 2. Lewis Blackbird, 3. Ales Dryml (Czech Republic), 4. Aaron Summers (Australia), 5. Rider replacement for Ulrich Ostergaard (Denmark), 6. Joe Jacobs, 7. Nicki Barrett (Denmark).

Peterborough Panthers at EWR

Ave Ave Best
Name Lge M R Pts BP (no BP) (w BP) Performance
Nicki Barrett PL 1 3 1 0 1.33 1.33 1 from 3 rides (2013)
Lasse Bjerre PL 7 35 57 2 6.51 6.74 13 from 6 rides (2014)
Lewis Blackbird PL 15 65 85 13 5.23 6.03 15 + 2 from 6 rides (inc 6 pts T/R (PL (2013)))
Ales Dryml PL 1 5 6 2 4.80 6.40 6 + 2 from 5 rides (2014)
Joe Jacobs PL 2 7 3 0 1.71 1.71 2 from 4 rides (2014)

Other Notes

Nicki Barrett
Made his Premier League debut for Berwick during the 2012 season.
Signed for Peterborough in June to replace the injured Oliver Greenwood.

Lasse Bjerre
2011 Danish Under-21 Champion.
Member of Denmark’s World Under-21 Team Cup Championship Winning Team in 2010.
Member of Ipswich’s Premier League Fours Championship Winning Team in 2011.
Qualified for this season’s World Under-21 Individual Championship Finals.
Recently named as a ‘doubling-up’ rider with Wolverhampton for the rest of the 2014 Elite League season.

Lewis Blackbird
2013 Scunthorpe Scorpion.
Member of Mildenhall’s National League KO Cup Winning Team in 2011.
Captain of Mildenhall’s 2012 National League side, which won 5 major trophies at that level.
Member of Dudley’s 2013 National League Championship, Pairs and Fours Winning Teams.
A Fast-Track Reserve with Eastbourne for the 2014 Elite League season.

Ales Dryml
Has competed in the Speedway Grand Prix Series and has represented his country in the Speedway World Cup.
2012 European Champion.
Won the 2004 and 2007 European Pairs Championship with his brother Lukas.
Member of Oxford’s 2001 Elite League Championship Winning Team.
Member of Poole’s 2003 Elite League Championship and KO Cup Winning Teams.

Joe Jacobs
Member of Mildenhall’s National League KO Cup Winning Team in 2011.
Member of Mildenhall’s NL Championship, Fours, KO Cup and National Trophy Winning Team in 2012.
A Fast-Track Reserve with Wolverhampton for the 2014 Elite League season.
Also riding in 2014 for Mildenhall in the National League.

Peterborough Panthers’ Results at EWR

26 May 2014 KOC L Scunthorpe 46 Peterborough 44