Big Match Preview: Scunthorpe v Oxford

30-HEAT BONANZA AT THE EDDIE WRIGHT RACEWAY

SCUNTHORPE SPEEDWAY stages its second double-header of the season when both the Ellie Rose Travel Scunthorpe Scorpions and the Scunthorpe Stags face respective opposition from Oxford at the Eddie Wright Raceway tomorrow (Friday) evening, with the earlier than usual start-time of 7pm.

For third-placed Scorpions, it is an important clash against second-placed Oxford Cheetahs, since the two teams could very well meet again in a few weeks in the semi-finals of the Cab Direct Championship play-offs.

In the play-offs, the top-table toppers race against fourth and second are pitted against third. After a victory at Poole, Oxford still have a chance of topping the regular standings, but the most likely outcome is still for Pirates to finish in first place.

Scunthorpe will replace Oxford in second place if they both win and overcome a 21-point-deficit to gain the aggregate bonus point, but Oxford are likely to go back ahead with away meetings at Plymouth and Glasgow still to come.

Scorpions are due to be at full strength, while Cheetahs bring in their National League rider Jody Scott for the injured Adam Roynon.

The joint Scunthorpe and Sheffield National League side – who race under the moniker Scunthorpe Stags at the EWR – still have a chance to finish second in the table, behind newly-crowned champions Leicester Lion Cubs. Stags should pick up at least the aggregate point against Oxford Chargers, since Stags won 54-36 at Cowley in July on an afternoon of misfortune for Chargers.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “More than likely, our clash with the Oxford Cheetahs is going to be a dress rehearsal for the play-offs, since there’s a high probability of the two teams meeting in the semi-finals.

“That’s certainly how we are approaching the meeting and want to stamp our authority on Oxford and put out a statement of intent ahead of the play-offs.

“We certainly intend to beat Oxford. If we can get back the 21 points and take the aggregate bonus point that would be even better. Although we know that our team performs better on its second visit to a track, that was most evident at Edinburgh, where we got thrashed in the Cab Direct Championship but we went back and won the first leg of our BSN Series semi-final last week. So even if we don’t get the bonus point against Oxford, we want to put a few doubts in their minds ahead of the play-offs.

“It’s going to be a terrific evening at the Eddie Wright Raceway against both Oxford teams, with 30 heats on offer. We’ll start at 7pm, which is 30 minutes earlier than usual, and if everything goes to plan, we’ll get through both meetings as quickly as we can. We’ve kept admission prices as low as we can to make it value for money – admission is only an extra £5 despite double the action.

“The previous double header against Edinburgh was top entertainment – personally, I enjoyed the second-half meeting featuring the Stags even more than the first half with the Scorpions that night. The National League clash with Oxford does look intriguing, with all four reserves from the first meeting in the mix, and young riders from both sides who simply don’t know when they’re beaten. I’m expecting another fabulous double header of action, and hopefully two wins for Scunthorpe!”

For those who cannot make it to the Eddie Wright Raceway, Scorpions are live streaming the BOTH meetings for just £14.99. The stream costs just £3 more than normal, despite covering a further 15 races and is available at: https://tv.scunthorpe-speedway.com/

ADMISSION PRICES FOR TOMORROW (FRIDAY):

Adult: £25.00

Student/OAP: £23.00

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 tomorrow (Friday):

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

Monarch Oxford Cheetahs: 1. Sam Masters, 2. Cameron Heeps, 3. Ashton Boughen, 4. Jordan Jenkins, 5. Scott Nicholls (captain), 6. Luke Killeen, 7. Jody Scott.

Scunthorpe Stags: 1. Nathan Ablitt, 2. Mickie Simpson, 3. Stene Pijper, 4. Ace Pijper (captain), 5. Luke Harrison, 6. Kean Dicken, 7. Jamie Etherington.

Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers: 1. Luke Killeen (captain), 2. Arran Butcher (guest), 3. Jacob Clouting, 4. Ashton Vale, 5. Jody Scott, 6. Senna Summers, 7. Declan Killeen.