Key play-off fixture at Eddie Wright Raceway
THE PLAY-OFF hopes of the FluidAir Power Scunthorpe Scorpions may have been extinguished after a depleted Scorpions side lost 27-65 at Somerset on Wednesday, but the Scorpions still stage what is effectively the Group B play-off decider at the Eddie Wright Raceway tonight (Friday, 7.30pm), as visitors Ipswich Witches look to book their place in the final.
Last night (Thursday), Somerset ran into problems of their own at Ipswich, with the Witches ending up as 57-39 victors.
Ipswich travel to Somerset on October 10, but the Rebels are impregnable at home and that meeting is likely to result in three points for Somerset.
Therefore, tonight’s meeting at the Eddie Wright Raceway is the key. With either a win or draw, Ipswich could secure a place in the play-off final against Edinburgh. A defeat, even if they take the losing bonus point by keeping it close, is unlikely to be enough for the Witches.
Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “We won’t make it easy for Ipswich – if they want the points, they’ll have to earn them the hard way.
“Any chances are over, but we still want to win this meeting. We haven’t been beaten at home since May 5th, and we want to extend that run to the end of the season, by beating Ipswich this week and then Sheffield next week.
“With tonight’s meeting having such a major bearing on the winners of our play-off group, I’m sure a cracking night’s action is ahead.”
With Nicolai Klindt, Ryan Douglas and Ashley Birks all out with wrist injuries, the Scorpions use rider replacement for Douglas, and bring in Workington’s Ricky Wells and Redcar’s Carl Wilkinson as guests. Matt Williamson comes in as a National League guest for the unavailable Tom Perry at reserve.
Admission prices for tonight:
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 tonight:
FluidAir Power Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. David Howe, 2. Ryan Douglas R/R, 3. Thomas Jørgensen (pictured), 4. Ricky Wells, 5. Josh Auty, 6. Matt Williamson, 7. Carl Wilkinson.
Ipswich Witches: 1. Rohan Tungate, 2. Cameron Heeps, 3. Morten Risager R/R, 4. Gino Manzares, 5. Richie Worrall, 6. Ritchie Hawkins, 7. Adam Ellis.
* THE final speedway meeting of the 2014 season at the Eddie Wright Raceway will take place on Sunday, October 12th.
It will be a double-header featuring:
Scunthorpe Scorpions vs Sheffield Tigers (Premier League)
Scunthorpe Stags vs Buxton Hitmen (National League)
Please note, that due to a Stock Car meeting the previous night, this double-header WILL HAVE A START-TIME OF 5PM.
