MIXED FORTUNES FOR SCUNTHORPE SIDES

DISAPPOINTMENT FOR SCORPIONS, BUT GREAT VICTORY FOR STEELERS

SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS 41 OXFORD CHEETAHS 49  (Cab Direct Championship)

STEELERS 59 OXFORD CHARGERS 31 (WSRA National League)

ELLIE ROSE TRAVEL Scunthorpe Scorpions suffered a setback when they lost 41-49 at home to Oxford Cheetahs in the Cab Direct Championship at the Eddie Wright Raceway last night (Friday). But, in the second half, Steelers destroyed the previously unbeaten Oxford Chargers by 59-31, with four Steelers collecting paid maximums.

Scorpions were hit by a pre-match bombshell, with Jake Allen forced out through illness. With not enough time to book a guest, Scorpions went into the meeting using rider replacement – and scored only three points from Allen’s rides.

Oxford Cheetahs took the lead with a 4-2 in Heat 1, after Scunthorpe’s Steve Worrall was excluded for touching the tapes. But Scorpions took the lead, after a 5-1 from Worrall and Zaine Kennedy in Heat 6.

Kennedy suffered a controversial exclusion from the very next race in Heat 7, after a fall for Oxford’s Mitch McDiarmid. A great effort by Luke Harrison saw him pip McDiarmid to second place in the re-run, to restrict Cheetahs to a 4-2.

Cheetahs were boasted by a tremendous performance from guest Antti Vuolas, who was involved 5-1s for the visitors in Heats 10 and 12.

In between, a fascinating Heat 11 saw Connor Mountain defeat Masters, with Harrison also passing Masters at the one point, before Masters pushed Harrison wide on the final bend. Harrison was very close to the fence, but still recovered to pinch third place from Jonas Knudsen.

Scorpions placed Mountain into Heat 13 as a tactical substitute, but Cheetahs pulled further away with a 4-2.

Harrison and Mountain pegged back a 5-1 in Heat 14 and the same pair needed a further maximum heat advantage in Heat 15 to force a Super Heat. But Masters trapped and Vuolas soon joined him for a 5-1.

IN the second meeting, Steelers were completely dominant. Both Jamie Etherington (20+1) and Mickie Simpson (14+1) picked up their first-ever maximums in the WSRA National League, while Harrison (11+1) and Nathan Ablitt (10+2) were also unbeaten.

Chargers were missing their top two – Jody Scott (on Cab Direct Championship duty) and Darryl Ritchings (injured) – but Steelers’ dismantling of a previously unbeaten side was still impressive.

Despite the lop-sided scoreline, there was much to entertain. In Heat 13, Ablitt was involved in a great race with determined visitor Jacob Clouting, with passing and re-passing. Ablitt made the decisive move on the final lap to join Harrison for a 5-1.

Etherington completed his 20+1 paid maximum in style in Heat 15. He passed Clouting on the opening lap, then overhauled Senna Summers with a lap remaining.

16-year-old Etherington’s paid maximum is believed to be the first seven-ride maximum for a Scunthorpe rider since Michael Palm Toft achieved the feat for Scorpions in a play-off meeting way back in 2012.

Simon Lambert, the skipper of the Scunthorpe Scorpions and manager of the Steelers, reflected on the defeat for Scorpions.

He said: “We never want to lose at home – we’re not known for losing at home. It was a big blow not to have Jake tonight. Rider replacement at No 5 for him just didn’t work. Our backs were against the wall before we even started.

“We didn’t get off to a good start in Heat 1, when Steve (Worrall) touched the tapes – I think Sam (Masters) dragged him in. The same nearly happened to me in the re-run.

“Except Luke Harrison, none of us are doubling up and the lack of meetings is hurting us. But we’re professionals and, at the end of the day, there’s no excuses. We should have done better and we got beaten by the better team tonight. Oxford’s guest Antti Vuolas was superb – it’s a bitter pill when the guest only drops one point for the visitors.

“Connor Mountain was a hero to get paid 14 for Scorpions and he kept us in the meeting tonight. Fair play to him – he’s been very consistent and our knight in shining armour this season.

“Apologies from myself and the team to the fans for our performance as a team tonight. But we’re not dead and buried by any means. Our next meeting is at Glasgow next Friday, and any kind of win and we get three points. For me, it’s a seven-hour journey each way. It’s a long way to travel and we want to make it worth it. We’ll give it our best and try to win.”

As for Steelers, manager Lambert said: “The boys were superb. We had four riders on paid maximums and two of them took their first-ever maximums at this level. I was so pleased for both Jamie (Etherington) and Mickie (Simpson).

“But it wasn’t just about them. It’s also about seeing Harrison (Rogers) improve ride-by-ride and it was great to give Jack Franklin – our former club mascot – his first couple of outings in the WSRA National League.

“We hammered Oxford tonight, but it’s not just about winning, it’s about the boys moving forward as riders. Everyone is improving, everyone is enjoying it and there’s a good buzz in the pits.

“I’m proud of every one of them, particularly Mickie and Jamie. It’s special when a rider gets the paid 21 and Jamie will always remember tonight – he even put his maximum on the line in Heat 15 and came through and won that race.”

SCUNTHORPE 41: Connor Mountain 13+1, Luke Harrison 9, Simon Lambert 6+1, Steve Worrall 6, Zaine Kennedy 4+1, Declan Kennedy 3+1, Jake Allen r/r.
OXFORD 49: Sam Masters 14, Antti Vuolas 11+3, Francis Gusts 11, Mitch McDiarmid 6+1, Luke Killeen 4+1, Cameron Heeps 2, Jonas Knudsen 1.
Oxford win aggregate point by 98-82

STEELERS 59: Jamie Etherington 20+1, Mickie Simpson 14+1, Luke Harrison 11+1, Nathan Ablitt 10+2, Luke Harris 3+1, Harrison Rogers 1, Jack Franklin (No.8) 0, Vinnie Foord r/r.
OXFORD 31: Senna Summers 11+1, Jacob Clouting 9+1, Arran Butcher 5, Max James 2+2, Max Broadhurst 2+2, Ashton Vale 2+1, Darryl Ritchings r/r.

* ELLIE ROSE TRAVEL Scunthorpe Scorpions are next in action at the Eddie Wright Raceway, when they host the Plymouth Gladiators on Friday, July 11 at 7.30pm. In the meantime, Scorpions are involved in away meetings at Glasgow (June 27) and Plymouth (July 5).

PHOTOS BY IAN RISPIN