BIG SUNDAY AHEAD, AS SCORPIONS IN BSN FINAL

BIG SUNDAY AHEAD, AS SCORPIONS CHASE SILVERWARE IN BSN SERIES FINAL

ELLIE ROSE TRAVEL Scunthorpe Scorpions are looking to pick up major silverware for a second successive season – when they host Poole Pirates in the first leg of the BSN Series Final at the Eddie Wright Raceway in North Lincolnshire tomorrow early evening (Sunday) at the start-time of 5.30pm.

For anyone making their way at the Eddie Wright Raceway for the first time for the final, the stadium postcode is DN15 8QZ.

The second leg takes place at Poole’s Wimborne Road in Dorset next Wednesday (October 2) at 7.30pm. The aggregate winners will win the BSN Series – Pirates are the defending champions.

Scorpions gained their place in the BSN Series Final by finishing runners-up in the Northern Group and then defeating Edinburgh by 97-82 on aggregate in the semi-finals.

With favoured guest Drew Kemp ruled out of the final by BSN Series competition regulations, Scorpions will use rider replacement for the injured Michael Palm Toft at No 1, with all the other six Scorpions all eligible to take a R/R ride.

Meanwhile, while Ben Cook’s mandatory concussion period had elapsed, the young Australian remains ruled out for Poole, and Redcar No 1 Charles Wright has been booked to guest for Pirates.

Last season, Scunthorpe picked up silverware against the same opponents – defeating Poole by 92-88 in a classic Knockout Cup Final. Scorpions picked up a narrow 47-43 at home, and then landed the Cup by holding Pirates to a 45-45 draw on a memorable night in Dorset, with skipper Simon :Lambert to the fore.

Last year, Scorpions had not beaten Pirates in four previous encounters heading into the Cup final, while this year Poole again have the upper hand with three victories to one, although Scorpions did defeat Pirates by 48-42 in the Cab Direct Championship at the EWR in August. But – just as last season – it all starts afresh for the final.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “It’s fantastic that for the second season running we end our home campaign with the final of a major competition. It’s a chance for us to get something out of this season after all the hard work that has gone before.

“In terms of riding Poole, just throw everything away that’s gone before and start again, that’s my thought process on this, and I’m sure it’s the riders’ thought process too. We start afresh in Heat 1 of the first leg at the Eddie Wright Raceway, it’s a clean slate and the previous matches against Poole this season count for nothing.

“A massive thanks to all of the Scorpions’ fans for coming along and supporting us this season. It’s actually not been a bad season because we got to three semi-finals and one final and we’re still in with a chance of winning something, so I hope the supporters turn up in even greater numbers for the final and get right behind the boys.

“Last year, we won a final – which was also against Poole – and my aim for this year was to win another one, so hopefully we can win the BSN Series and end the season on a high.”

For those who cannot make it to the Eddie Wright Raceway, British Speedway Network (BSN) are streaming the meeting at: https://watch.britishspeedway.co.uk/

ADMISSION PRICES FOR TOMORROW (SUNDAY):

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 (Sunday):

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

Poole Pirates: 1. Richard Lawson, 2. Sam Hagon, 3. Charles Wright (guest), 4. Zach Cook, 5. Tom Brennan, 6. Tobias Thomsen, 7. Vinnie Foord.