DING! DING! ROUND 2! Scunny v Redcar preview
SCORPIONS LOOK TO GO OUT PUNCHING AGAINST BEARS
ELLIE ROSE TRAVEL Scunthorpe Scorpions are seeking a positive end to the season, when they host the Redcar Bears in the Cab Direct Championship at Scunthorpe’s Eddie Wright Raceway tomorrow evening (Friday, August 29) at 7.30pm.
Much of the interest will be on the clashes between Scunthorpe’s Australian star Jake Allen and Redcar skipper Charles Wright a week after the two came to blows in the reverse fixture on Teesside, which Bears won by 55-35.
After Heat 6 was completed, Wright wiped out Allen on the first bend after the chequered flag. It has since been claimed that Wright miscounted the laps and thought there was still a lap remaining. 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 and clearly wasn’t happy. 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.
Ironically, Allen and Wright are friends, having been team-mates at both Somerset and Redcar. The incident has generated considerable publicity, including in both the Sun and Daily Mirror newspapers, while both riders were fined by the Speedway Control Bureau.
Allen and Wright are due to ride against each other at the EWR in Heat 11, Heat 13 and possibly Heat 15.
Scorpions will use Ben Trigger in place of the injured Declan Kennedy. Track specialist Antti Vuolas comes in for Redcar in place of the ill Erik Riss. Bears just need the aggregate point to be mathematically certain of the play-offs.
To avoid the wooden spoon, Scorpions either need all three points including the aggregate point, or at the very least, a victory over Bears, with Berwick then losing their remaining two home meetings.
Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “All we can do is try and end a poor season on a high note with a win against the Redcar Bears at the Eddie Wright Raceway which might, just might, mean we dodge the wooden spoon.
“The incident with Jake Allen and Charles Wright last week will add a little bit of extra spice to the meeting.
“It was basically ‘handbags’ in the heat of the moment because the two of them are friends and have been team-mates in the past, but the Speedway Control Bureau fined both of them on Monday.
“The clashes between Scunthorpe and Redcar at the EWR are always very close affairs – back on Good Friday, we beat them by 46-44. I’m expecting another exciting contest, plus it will be the last chance for the supporters to see Scorpions in action until next Spring. I’m hoping that we can send the fans home for the Winter with a smile on their faces after a home victory for the Ellie Rose Travel Scunthorpe Scorpions.”
For those who cannot make it to the Eddie Wright Raceway, Scorpions are live streaming the meeting for just £12.99 at: https://tv.scunthorpe-speedway.com/
Scunthorpe are also holding their annual collection for the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund during the evening.
Please note that while it’s cash or card on the turnstile, it is cash only once you were inside the venue.
ADMISSION PRICES FOR TOMORROW (FRIDAY):
Adult: £20
Student/OAP: £18
Child (0 – 16): Free (must be accompanied by paying adult)
Programme: £1.50
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. Steve Worrall, 2. Zaine Kennedy, 3. Luke Harrison, 4. Connor Mountain, 5. Jake Allen, 6. Ben Trigger (guest), 7. Simon Lambert (C).
Redcar Bears: 1. Charles Wright (C), 2. Jody Scott, 3. Jason Edwards, 4. Antti Vuolas (guest), 5. Danny King, 6. Jake Mulford, 7. Ace Pijper.
