Injury-hit Scorpions deny Witches in a thriller

SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS 49 IPSWICH WITCHES 41 (PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS)

DEPLETED FluidAir Power Scunthorpe Scorpions defied the odds, by defeating Ipswich Witches 49-41 in their final Premier League Play-Off meeting at the Eddie Wright Raceway last night (Friday), therefore denying the Witches the win or draw they needed to clinch a final place.

Scunthorpe already had no chance of qualifying for the final, after the heavy 27-65 defeat at Somerset on Wednesday. The group will now be decided next Friday, when Somerset Rebels entertain Ipswich at the Oak Tree Arena, with the Rebels favourites to progress.

Already reduced to just three of their declared 1-7 after wrist injuries to Ryan Douglas, Nicolai Klindt and Ashley Birks, the Scorpions were further weakened by Josh Auty – normally such a force around the Eddie Wright Raceway – being nowhere near his usual self due to illness.

But with guests Ricky Wells, Carl Wilkinson and Matt Williamson all having their moments, allied to fine performances from David Howe and Thomas Jorgensen, plus Auty lifting himself quite brilliantly in Heat 13, the Scorpions had just slightly too much firepower for the visitors.

Although officially classed as a National League guest for this appearance, Williamson – a club asset – is still considered very much part of the Scunthorpe set-up, and the fans roared his first win in Scorpions’ colours in Heat 2. Wilkinson team rode with him, but Wilko ended up being caught himself on the final bend by Ritchie Hawkins.

That 4-2 took Scunthorpe into an early 7-5 lead. Ipswich levelled twice at 12-12 and 21-21, but each time, Scunthorpe edged back in front in the next race.

Ipswich lost another chance to level the scores, when Howe just pipped Gino Manzares in a near photo-finish in Heat 10.

Wilkinson put behind early machinery problems behind him to win both Heats 11 & 12, and with Jorgensen – enjoying a terrific evening – joining him for a 5-1 in the latter, Scunthorpe opened up a six-point lead.

Heat 13 was a 5-1 to Ipswich early on. But Howe and Auty went either side of Rohan Tungate, who subsequently pulled out of the face, and then Auty swooped around Richie Worrall on the final bend, to take a brilliant win, as the Scorpions took a 4-2 to move 43-35 ahead.

Wells secured the victory for Scunthorpe by winning a battle with Manzares for first place in Heat 14, but there was still a grandstand Heat 15 in store, as Ipswich attempted to take the bonus point for a narrow away defeat.

The Witches led from the tapes, but Howe battled past first Tungate and then Worrall, with Worrall giving him a real run for his money. Meanwhile, Jorgensen recovered from going very wide on the first lap, to pass Tungate for third, only for Tungate to snatch the place back on the final bend. But with Howe winning the race, the Scorpions took all three points.

Howe (12) and Jorgensen (11+2) were top scorers for the homesters, but all six of the Scorpions won at least one race during the course of proceedings.

Scorpions’ team manager Dave Peet said: “Although there was nothing riding on this meeting for us, we did a professional job and took the three points on offer.

“David Howe is now back to riding how he did when he first came to Scunthorpe. He’s a proper No 1; he produced a superb win in Heat 15 that made sure of the third point for us.

“We had choice of gates in that last race, and David said he didn’t care that gate he had and that Thomas (Jorgensen) could choose. That’s the sign of a rider with confidence.

“Everyone chipped in, even young Matt (Williamson) took his first win, which was great to see. Wilko (Carl Wilkinson) shepherded him for three-and-a-half laps, but then got passed himself on the final bend (by Ritchie Hawkins). So a big thank you to Wilko, because you could see what he was doing. But Matt stuck in there for four laps and got the win, which was brilliant.

“It was nice to see guests winning races – that made a pleasant change.

“Wilko bent one bike riding for us on Wednesday, so only had the only bike left for this meeting. He got it going at the right time and scored a vital couple of wins for us.

“Josh (Auty) was feeling ill all night, but still came to the party in Heat 13 when we really needed him to, with a brilliant ride that was worth admission money alone.”

SCUNTHORPE 49: David Howe 12, Thomas Jorgensen 11+2, Ricky Wells 9+2, Carl Wilkinson 8, Josh Auty 6, Matt Williamson 3, Ryan Douglas r/r
IPSWICH 41: Richie Worrall 12, Gino Manzares 7+2, Morten Risager 7+1, Ritchie Hawkins 6+2, Rohan Tungate 6+2, Cameron Heeps 2, Adam Ellis 1

PHOTO: Josh Auty goes around Richie Worrall on the final bend of Heat 13.