SCORPIONS LOSE OUT AT WORKINGTON

WORKINGTON COMETS 56 SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS 34 (BSN Series – Northern Group)

ELLIE ROSE TRAVEL Scunthorpe Scorpions suffered a blow to their hopes in the BSN Series, when they suffered a 34-56 defeat at Workington yesterday afternoon (Sunday).

It was the second heavy away defeat of the weekend for Scorpions, who also lost 36-54 in the Knockout Cup at Berwick on Saturday.

Several Scorpions were making their first-ever appearance at the Northside Arena, Britain’s newest track, after the elevation of Comets from the National League to the Cab Direct Championship this season.

The meeting saw a number of riders struggling with the fourth bend in the opening few races, culminating in a crash for Workington’s Antti Vuolas in Heat 5, which saw the Finn withdraw through concussion.

There was then a lengthy delay in proceedings, while track work took place. Connor Mountain and Kyle Howarth took a 5-1 in the re-run in Heat 5. But Scorpions’ only other heat winners were Luke Harrison in Heat 2, Jake Allen in Heat 9 and Michael Palm Toft after he came through to win Heat 14.

There was a notable win for Workington’s female star Celina Liebmann, when she won Heat 12 ahead of Simon Lambert, her team-mate Sam McGurk and Scunthorpe guest Jack Smith.

To ensure they qualify for the BSN Series semi-finals, Scorpions need to pick up the aggregate bonus point when the two sides meet again at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday, May 10 – the next home meeting for Scunthorpe.  A victory for Scorpions without the bonus point would leave Workington as group winners, with Scorpions in with a good chance as qualifying as the highest-scoring runners-up on seven points.

In the meantime, Scorpions travel to Redcar next Friday (May 3) in their opening Cab Direct Championship meeting.

WORKINGTON 56: Craig Cook 15, Tate Zischke 11+4, Troy Batchelor 9+1, Claus Vissing 8, Sam McGurk 6+2, Celina Liebmann 5, Antti Vuolas 2+1.

SCUNTHORPE 34: Connor Mountain 7, Michael Palm Toft 7, Jake Allen 6, Luke Harrison 5+2, Kyle Howarth 5+1, Simon Lambert 4+1, Jack Smith 0.