Scorpions vs Panthers preview
RESERVES COULD BE KEY FOR SCORPIONS AGAINST PANTHERS
SCUNTHORPE promoter Rob Godfrey reckons reserves Nike Lunna and Ben Wilson could hold the key to a victory for the FluidAir Power Scorpions, supported by Henderson Insurance, over high-flying Peterborough Panthers at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday evening (7.30pm).
At the time of writing (Wednesday evening), Peterborough sit top of the Premier League table, after a 49-41 victory at Berwick in an encounter televised by Sky Sports. Impressively, the Panthers are unbeaten in five PL matches away from home.
Godfrey says: “Peterborough are a very classy side, and their away form is clearly very good indeed.
“We’ll have our work cut out on Friday, but one way we could upset the form book and beat them, would be if Nike Lunna and Ben Wilson were to repeat their performances from the match at Redcar last Thursday.
“Both rode extremely well, and scored 22 (paid 24) between them, and it kept us in contention that night despite Alex Davies crashing out in his opening ride.”
A battered and bruised Davies has declared himself fit for Friday’s clash.
One major boost for the Scorpions, who currently occupy the bottom place in the Premier League, is the return of Australian Ryan Douglas from injury, and it is also hoped that No 1 Josh Auty may also be back in action.
Douglas has been out for 5 weeks with a small fracture to one of his vertebrae, while Auty has been on the sidelines 8 weeks with a broken hand.
Godfrey adds: “It would be fabulous to have seven of our own riders back racing for us again; it seems such a long time since we weren’t reliant on either a guest or rider replacement.
“We have to appreciate that it’s going to take Ryan, plus Josh if he’s back, a few weeks to get fully back up to speed, after their injuries. Although we could have a full team out on track on Friday, it’ll be another couple of weeks before we’re back to what I would call full strength.”
Peterborough Panthers will be led by 17-year-old British sensation Robert Lambert, who has featured in both the Speedway World Cup and Grand Prix series in 2015, and makes his first Premier League appearance at Scunthorpe on Friday.
Former Scorpions Michael Palm Toft and Simon Lambert are also in the Panthers’ line-up, while Ulrich Ostergaard is a proven performer around the Eddie Wright Raceway.
“The Panthers are attractive visitors”, says Godfrey. “In particular, it will be interesting to see how Robert Lambert goes around here. I’m sure plenty of people have caught his spectacular efforts in televised meetings this season. On Friday, there’s a chance to come along to the Eddie Wright Raceway and see him performing in the flesh.
“All-in-all, I think we’re set for a night of some thrilling speedway action around the best racetrack in British Speedway, as we attempt to become the team that ends Peterborough’s away unbeaten run in the Premier League.”
There are 24 heats of action in total on Friday, with a nine-race second half comprising of a six-heat Midland Development League match between Scunthorpe & Peterborough and three 500cc Youth races.
Admission prices for Friday:
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 Friday:
FluidAir Power Scunthorpe Scorpions, supported by Henderson Insurance: 1. Josh Auty, 2. Theo Pijper, 3. Alex Davies, 4. Carl Wilkinson, 5. Ryan Douglas, 6. Ben Wilson, 7. Nike Lunna.
Peterborough Panthers: 1. Ulrich Ostergaard, 2. Rider replacement for Emil Grondal, 3. Matej Kus (guest for Lewis Blackbird), 4. Michael Palm Toft, 5. Robert Lambert, 6. Rafal Konopka, 7. Simon Lambert.
Midland Development League teams:
Scunthorpe Stags: 1. Jamie Halder, 2. Stephen Whitehouse, 3. Jack Parkinson-Blackburn, 4. Luke Whitehead.
Peterborough Thundercats: 1. Alex Wilson, 2. Daniel Hunt, 3. Ben Basford, 4. Adam Portwood.
Peterborough Panthers at EWR
Name Lge M R Pts BP (no BP) (w BP) Performance
Rafal Konopka PL 5 22 14 3 2.55 3.09 5 + 1 from 6 rides (2015)
Robert Lambert DEBUT PL MEETING @ EWR
Simon Lambert PL 48 211 285 52 5.40 6.39 15 + 2 from 7 rides (2009)
Ulrich Ostergaard PL 9 43 80 6 7.44 8.00 18 from 6 rides (inc 6 pts T/R (2008))
Michael Palm Toft PL 49 222 342 43 6.16 6.94 18 + 3 from 7 rides (2012)
Other Notes
Rafal Konopka
Made his Premier League debut for Redcar in April 2014.
Recent signing for Peterborough after starting this season at Redcar.
Robert Lambert
Has made his Speedway Grand Prix and World Cup debuts this season.
Made his British League debut with King’s Lynn’s National League side during the 2013 season.
Rides as a ‘doubling-up’ rider with King’s Lynn for the 2015 Elite League season.
Simon Lambert
A former Scunthorpe Scorpion and Saint.
A part of 3 National League level Pairs Winning duos (2007 and 2008 with Boston and 2011 with Stoke).
Rides as a ‘doubling-up’ rider with Leicester for the 2015 Elite League season.
Ulrich Ostergaard
Member of Peterborough’s Elite League Championship Winning Team in 2006.
Named as the 2008 Premier League Rider of the Year by the Speedway Riders Association.
Michael Palm Toft
A former Scunthorpe Scorpion and member of the 2012 Premier League Championship Winning Team.
2006 FIM Youth 80cc Champion.
Has Elite League experience after riding for King’s Lynn and Belle Vue at that level
Peterborough Panthers’ Results at EWR
26 May 2014 KOC L Scunthorpe 46 Peterborough 44
05 September 2014 PL L Scunthorpe 58 Peterborough 36
