Scorpions out to show title credentials against Bandits

FLUIDAIR POWER Scunthorpe Scorpions are out to prove that there are serious title contenders when they entertain the Berwick Bandits in Premier League action at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Tuesday evening (7.30pm).

Scunthorpe look all set to finish fifth in the Premier League table. It would now take a mathematical miracle for the Scorpions to be denied a top six place and a place in the championship play-offs, with Glasgow requiring a maximum of 14 points from their remaining meetings, with the Scorpions failing to score.

The last mathematical doubt is likely to be removed on Tuesday, with the staging of the Scunthorpe vs Berwick and Peterborough vs Glasgow meetings.

All the signs are that the Scorpions are hitting their best form just at the right time of the season. Faced with 7 meetings in 11 days between August 27 and September 6, the Scorpions took 13 points from those meetings, dropping just one point at home, while picking up 5 away points.

In fact, had single point defeats at Peterborough (44-45) and Berwick (46-47) been turned into wins, the Scorpions would have actually accrued 17 points over that period.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “It’s all about peaking at the right time of the season, and I’m convinced that’s what is happening with us.

“I’ve said all season long that I believe we could win the championship this season, and I think a lot of other people are starting to see that we will be serious contenders in the play-offs.

“We built a team that we believed would just get stronger as the season progressed and that what’s happened.

“Finishing top of the table means nothing. It’s all about the getting into the play-offs and taking good form into them.

“We are planning to show that we mean business in the play-offs, with a convincing performance against Berwick on Tuesday. The Bandits are going to finish fourth in the table, but we nearly won at their place on Saturday, and we want to take a resounding win over the Bandits to show everyone we mean business.

“There’s a buzz about the team at the moment, and I’m sure it’s going to be another great night of racing at the Eddie Wright Raceway.”

Scunthorpe’s undoubted strength is six riders who can all score heavily, and Godfrey is keen to see that happen both on Tuesday night and for the rest of the season.

He added: “David Howe is back to the rider we saw before he sustained his injuries in 2012, and Josh Auty is also looking better and better with each passing meeting. By the time, we reach the play-offs, we’ll see the Josh who topped our averages in each of the last two seasons.

“Ashley Birks has also turned the corner with his form. He’s making the most of being at reserve, although to be fair to Ash, he scored paid 12 in his last meeting before he dropped to reserve, after sorting out his machinery troubles.

“Ryan Douglas showed he can win the big races, when he won Heat 15 at Berwick on Saturday, and Thomas Jorgensen finished our last home meeting on fire.

“Nicolai Klindt (pictured) smashed David Howe’s three-year-old track record last Friday, and with paid 10 in both his last two performances for us, is showing signs of returning to the Nicolai that we saw when he first signed for us this season.

“As for Tom Perry, it’s been tough for him so far, but he showed he could mix it in Heat 2 at home to Peterborough last week, and I’m sure he’ll come good.”

Admission prices for Tuesday:

Adult: £15.00
Student/OAP: £13.00
Child (10 – 17): £5.00
Child (0 – 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult)
Family Ticket £35 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-17)
Match Programme: £1.00

Expected teams for Tuesday (English unless stated):

FluidAir Power Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Nicolai Klindt (Denmark), 2. David Howe, 3. Ryan Douglas (Australia), 4. Josh Auty, 5. Thomas Jørgensen (Denmark), 6. Benji Compton, 7. Ashley Birks.

Berwick Bandits: 1. Claus Vissing (Denmark), 2. David Bellego (France), 3. Kevin Doolan (Australia), 4. Steen Jensen (Denmark), 5. Matej Kus (Czech Republic), 6. Matthew Wethers (Australia), 7. Alex Edberg (Sweden).

Berwick Bandits at EWR

Ave Ave Best
Name Lge M R Pts BP (no BP) (w BP) Performance
David Bellego PL 7 29 37 3 5.10 5.52 9 from 4 rides (2013)
Kevin Doolan PL 11 53 85 4 6.42 6.72 14 from 5 rides (2008)
Alexander Edberg PL 1 5 6 1 4.80 5.60 6 + 1 from 5 rides
Steen Jensen DEBUT PL MEETING @ EWR
Matej Kus PL 3 15 27 0 7.20 7.20 17 from 5 rides (inc 6 pts T/R (2012))
Claus Vissing PL 4 11 13 0 4.73 4.73 7 from 4 rides (2012)
Matthew Wethers PL 8 31 36 4 4.65 5.16 7 + 1 from 4 rides (2008)

Other Notes

David Bellego
Member of Glasgow’s Premier League Championship Winning Team in 2011.
Member of Berwick’s Premier League Fours Championship Winning Team in 2012.

Kevin Doolan
Member of King’s Lynn’s Premier League KO Cup and Young Shield Winning Teams in 2005.
Member of King’s Lynn’s Premier League Championship, KO Cup and Premier Trophy Winning Teams in 2006.
Member of Workington’s Premier League Four-Team Championship Winning Team in 2009.
Member of Ipswich’s Premier League Four-Team Championship Winning Team in 2011.

Alexander Edberg
Recently signed to replace Liam Carr in the Bandits’ line-up.
First rode in this country, making his Premier League debut in 2011 for Berwick.

Steen Jensen
Making his return to British speedway this season after a number of years away.
Made his Premier League debut with Isle of Wight in 2005.

Matej Kus
Has ridden in Speedway Grand Prix and World Cup Events.
2010 Czech Republic Champion.
Twice Czech Republic Under-21 Champion (2008 and 2009).
2008 Czech Republic Under-19 Champion.

Claus Vissing
Member of Somerset’s League Cup Winning Team in 2012.
Made his British League debut in 2007 at Premier League level with Stoke.

Matthew Wethers
Member of Edinburgh’s Premier League Championship Winning Teams in 2003, 2008 and 2010.
Member of Edinburgh’s Premier League Play-Off Winning Teams in 2008 and 2009.
Member of Edinburgh’s Premier Trophy Winning Team in 2008.

Berwick’s Results at EWR

04 July 2008 PL L Scunthorpe 52 Berwick 41
04 September 2009 PL L Scunthorpe 51 Berwick 42
23 April 2010 PL L Scunthorpe 62 Berwick 28
25 March 2011 PL L Scunthorpe 56 Berwick 39
23 March 2012 LC L Scunthorpe 53 Berwick 40
27 July 2012 PL L Scunthorpe 48 Berwick 42
02 August 2013 PL L Scunthorpe 34 Berwick 31