Big Match Preview: Scunthorpe v Poole

TOUGH TASK FOR SCORPIONS

HOLDERS Ellie Rose Travel Scunthorpe Scorpions have a tough target of 61 points in the second leg of their Cab Direct Knockout Cup Championship semi-final against Poole Pirates at the Eddie Wright Raceway tomorrow evening (Friday) at 7.30pm.

Scorpions lost the first leg at Wimborne Road on July 24 by 31 points after a 29-60 defeat, and face a very difficult task to turn around that deficit.

Luke Harrison is racing in a European Under-19 Championship semi-final in Germany this weekend. Ace Pijper – who rides for the Scunthorpe Stags in the National League – has been booked to cover his absence against Poole.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “We are under no illusions about the size of the task we face – 61 points is a big target. We have hit it on four occasions this summer around the Eddie Wright Raceway but not against a side of the calibre of Poole.

“Pirates have finished top of the regular season league table, they are already in the Final of the BSN Series – where we hope to join them – and I’m sure they will be extremely confident about moving forward to the Cup Final.

“Poole will be huge favourites but in a way the pressure is off us because no-one will think we can recover from so far behind. I know this team is capable of doing it if everything goes right and we will give it our best shot but, yes, we might need divine intervention for this one!

“But it’s also about maintaining our 100 per cent home record this season, building up the momentum ahead our play-off meetings with Oxford next week, and reminding Pirates that we can trouble them, ahead of possible clashes in both the BSN Series final and the play-off final.

“Luke Harrison is a big loss to the team as he has been doing so well for us at No 7 this year. But Ace is good round here, has been impressing for the National League team and it makes sense to give him the opportunity while Luke is away. I’m sure Ace will want to put himself in the shop window for a team place for next year because he’s been a bit of a forgotten man in Cab Direct Championship circles after losing his team place at Glasgow in July.”

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 TOMORROW (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 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. Ace Pijper (guest).

Poole Pirates: 1. Richard Lawson, 2. Sam Hagon R/R, 3. Ben Cook, 4. Zach Cook, 5. Tom Brennan, 6. Tobias Thomsen, 7. Paul Starke (guest).

* THE big dates have been set for the two legs of the Cab Direct Championship play-off semi-final between Ellie Rose Travel Scunthorpe Scorpions and Oxford Cheetahs. The first leg will take place at Oxford Stadium next Wednesday (September 11) at 7.30pm, with the second leg at Scunthorpe’s Eddie Wright Raceway two days later on Friday, September 13 at 7.30pm. The aggregate winners will progress to the Grand Final, which will determine the Cab Direct Championship league champions.