Big Match Preview: Scunthorpe v Berwick

TARGET: 55 POINTS!

REIGNING Knockout Cup holders Ellie Rose Travel Scunthorpe Scorpions have a big night ahead of them as they aim to overturn an 18-point-deficit against Berwick Bandits at the Eddie Wright Raceway tonight (Friday, 7.30pm) and reach the semi-finals of the competition that they won last season.

In the first leg at Shielfield Park on April 27, Scorpions experienced a tough night and found themselves trailing after the 15 races at 36-54.

Scunthorpe are at full strength for the second leg, while Berwick No 1 Lewis Kerr is due to return from an ankle injury.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “Our reign as holders of the Cab Direct Knockout Cup is on the line and we know that we must score at least 55 points to progress into the semi-finals.

“It is achievable but it certainly isn’t going to be easy against a good Berwick team and there’s not a lot of margin for error.

“I think it will be exciting, nerve-racking, the fingernails will be going down to the bone, but we need to hit them early.

“That’s just what we did last week against Workington in the BSN Series when we were 23-13 up after only six races, so a repeat to that start would be ideal, although this time we need to keep up the momentum for the whole night.

“It has every chance of turning into a classic encounter and the boys need our loyal fans right behind them.”

The aggregate winners will face Poole Pirates in the semi-finals, the team that Scorpions beat so memorably in the last year’s final by 92-88.

For those who cannot make it to the Eddie Wright Raceway, Scorpions are live streaming home meetings for just £11.99 at: https://tv.scunthorpe-speedway.com/

ADMISSION PRICES FOR TONIGHT (FRIDAY):

Adult: £20.00

Student/OAP: £18.00

Child (0 – 16): Free (must be accompanied by paying adult)

Programme: £1.00

Car Parking free

Pay on the day at the turnstiles by cash or card.

Expected teams for tonight (Friday):

Ellie Rose Travel Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Kyle Howarth, 2. Connor Mountain, 3. Simon Lambert (captain), 4. Jake Allen, 5. Michael Palm Toft, 6. Nathan Ablitt, 7. Luke Harrison.

Berwick Bandits: 1. Lewis Kerr, 2. Drew Kemp, 3. Jye Etheridge, 4. Danyon Hume, 5. Rory Schlein, 6. Freddy Hodder, 7. Bastian Borke.