SCUNTHORPE GO DOWN IN FIERY CLASH AT REDCAR

REDCAR BEARS 55 SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS 35 (Cab Direct Championship)

ELLIE ROSE TRAVEL Scunthorpe Scorpions lost by 35-55 in the Cab Direct Championship at Redcar last night (Friday), although most of the post-meeting talk was on a clash between Scorpions’ Australian star Jake Allen and Redcar skipper Charles Wright following Heat 6.

Allen had suffered an expensive engine failure in his opening outing in Heat 4. Despite that, he popped out and won Heat 6, heading home Wright.

It wasn’t really that tight a finish, but for whatever reason, Wright was slower coming off the throttle than Allen after the race, with the result that Wright wiped out Allen on the first bend after the chequered flag. Wright would have been better to return to the pits, but instead he headed back around the track towards Allen, who had got to his feet. The next moment blows were exchanged and the two wrestled each other to the ground, before being separated by officials, including Scunthorpe team manager David Howe.

On returning to the pits, the two riders – who were Redcar team-mates in 2021 – were seen starting to reconcile. Referee Craig Ackroyd spoke to both riders about their conduct, being re-starting the meeting. Meanwhile, Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey seemed to pull a muscle, while rushing to the confrontation, but later hobbled away after medical attention. Allen’s team-mates helped out to make sure he had a working machine in Heat 9, but he was replaced in his final programmed outing in Heat 13, which would have seen a re-match with Wright.

A slow start cost Scorpions, as Redcar Bears flew into a 22-8 lead after five races, despite a fine race victory for Luke Harrison in Heat 3. After the drama of Heat 6, in which Allen and guest Luke Killeen pulled back a 4-2, Bears pulled further away and led 40-20 after ten races.

Zaine Kennedy produced a forceful ride to come through and join Steve Worrall for a 5-1 in Heat 11. Scorpions held their own in the closing stages, with Worrall and Harrison taking a 4-2 in the concluding Heat 15.

Worrall (10) and Harrison (8+2) ended up as top men for Scorpions. Youngster Ace Pijper scored a notable 13+1 at reserve for Redcar.

Scorpions’ team manager David Howe said: “It’s been the way of our season. The league table doesn’t lie, and it hasn’t worked out.

“As a unit we’ve very rarely had six or seven riders perform at the same time, and I can’t put it down to luck, I think you earn your results.

“Young Luke Harrison has been a star for me, he keeps listening and improving. He’s willing to learn and he shouldn’t really be in the main body of the side at this stage in his career, but he’s done his job.”

Scunthorpe remain in last place in the league table. To avoid the wooden spoon, they need to beat Redcar at home next Friday (August 29) and hope that other results go their way.

REDCAR 55: Ace Pijper 13+1, Lewis Kerr 10, Danny King 10, Jason Edwards 9+2, Charles Wright 9+2, Jake Mulford 4+1, Jody Scott r/r.

SCUNTHORPE 35: Steve Worrall 10, Luke Harrison 8+2, Jake Allen 5, Zaine Kennedy 4+1, Connor Mountain 3, Luke Killeen 3, Simon Lambert 2.

* ELLIE ROSE TRAVEL Scunthorpe Scorpions are next at home next Friday (August 29) at 7.30pm, when they entertain Redcar Bears in the Cab Direct Championship at the Eddie Wright Raceway. It is the final home meeting of the season for Scorpions.

PHOTO: Jake Allen and Charles Wright tussle after Wright knocked off Allen following the conclusion of Heat 6, while Scunthorpe team manager David Howe attempts to seperate them (screenshot from BSN coverage)