SCORPIONS SUFFER FURTHER HOME DEFEAT

SCORPIONS SUFFER FURTHER HOME DEFEAT

SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS 40 EDINBURGH MONARCHS 50 (Cab Direct Championship)

ELLIE ROSE TRAVEL Scunthorpe Scorpions surrendered an early eight-point advantage as they suffered a 40-50 home defeat to third-placed Edinburgh Monarchs at the Eddie Wright Raceway in the Cab Direct Championship last night (Friday).

Scorpions began brightly and charged into an early 16-8 lead after a 5-1 from Declan Kennedy and Connor Mountain in Heat 3, followed by another maximum from Jake Allen and Zaine Kennedy in Heat 4.

But Monarchs soon levelled at 21-21 and then took the lead with a 5-1 in Heat 9.

Scorpions lost out on a couple of possible 4-2s – firstly due to a fall for Zaine Kennedy while third in Heat 10 and due to a stellar effort by Edinburgh skipper Paco Castagna to repass Allen to win Heat 11.  Even with Luke Harrison overcoming the previously unbeaten Victor Palovaara for third place, the race was only shared.

Monarchs clinched victory with a 4-2 in Heat 12 and then a 5-1 in Heat 13. Harrison put in a tremendous ride in Heat 14, to come out on top and win the race ahead of Kye Thomson.

No 1 Steve Worrall top-scored for Scorpions on 10 points, while reserves Zaine Kennedy (7+1) and Harrison (6+2) both scored well.

For Monarchs, track specialist Michael Palm Toft reminded his old club what they are missing, winning his final three outings to collect 11+1.

Defeat for Scorpions meant they missed out on moving back into the top four.

In the following WSRA National League clash – with Harrison en route to an Under-24 commitment for Great Britain in France – a Steelers side decimated by injury and absence had no answer to Edinburgh Academy, who made it a double for the Scottish sides, with a 52-38 victory.

SCUNTHORPE 40: Steve Worrall 10, Zaine Kennedy 7+1, Luke Harrison 6+2, Jake Allen 6, Connor Mountain 5+1, Declan Kennedy 5, Simon Lambert 1+1.

EDINBURGH 50: Michael Palm Toft 11+1, Jonatan Grahn 10+1, Victor Palovaara 9+1, Justin Sedgmen 8+1, Paco Castagna 6+2, Kye Thomson 6+1, Jordy Loftus 0.

STEELERS 38: Ryan Ingram 10+1, Ashton Vale 9+1, Tom Spencer 8+1, Luke Harris 4+2, Sam Woods 4+2, Stene Pijper 3+1, Luke Harrison r/r.

EDINBURGH 52: Connor Coles 15, Sam McGurk 14+2, Ben Trigger 12, Jordy Loftus 9+1, Mark Parker 2+1, Lee Harrison 0, Matt Marson r/r.

* ELLIE ROSE TRAVEL Scunthorpe Scorpions are next at home next Friday (August 1) at 7.30pm, when they entertain Workington Comets in the Cab Direct Championship at the Eddie Wright Raceway. With only two home meetings outstanding this season, fans are urged to support what will be an exciting clash.

PHOTOS by Ian Rispin