Scunthorpe Scorpions vs Redcar Bears preview
***PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MEETING HAS NOW BEEN RAINED OFF***
FLUIDAIR POWER Scunthorpe Scorpions, supported by Henderson Insurance, can climb off the bottom of the Premier League table, if they defeat Redcar Bears by seven points or more in the crunch clash at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday evening (7.30pm).
The Scorpions will be looking to build on last week’s morale-boasting 54-38 win over the Newcastle Diamonds.
A victory for the Scorpions, while denying the Bears the bonus point for losing by six or less away from home, would take the Scorpions above the Bears on race points difference, and leave everything to play for in the final few weeks of the season for the two clubs.
17-year-old Dane Andreas Lyager – the replacement for the injured Ben Wilson – is set to make his first appearance for Scunthorpe, just one week after 19-year-old Czech Zdenek Holub – the replacement for the injured Josh Auty – scored paid 10 on his home debut for the club.
Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “This is a big fixture for us, simply because we don’t want to finish bottom of the league, no matter how much bad luck gets thrown our way this season.
“Since speedway returned to Scunthorpe in 2005, we’ve never finished bottom, and we don’t want to start now.
“Similarly, Redcar will also be hell-bent on avoiding last place in the PL. I think it’s going to be a fascinating clash, and I’m sure every point will be fought over.”
Regarding the new make-up of his team, Godfrey commented: “I guess we may look slightly vulnerable with two new riders on assessed averages in our top five, especially now we have to use rider replacement for the sadly injured Ryan Douglas.
“But Zdenek Holub had a terrific home debut last week against Newcastle, while having Alex Davies move down to reserve, alongside Nike Lunna, could be a real trump card.
“Alex had himself been in the wars earlier in the season, but last week he scored a superb 13 at Sheffield and followed that up with 9 at Scunthorpe.
“He seems to be moving back into form just as he drops to reserve, and we could reap the benefit of that.”
Godfrey also insists no pressure will be placed on the incoming Lyager.
“Andreas is only 17 and hasn’t ridden in Britain before.
“We’ll treat any points he scores as a bonus. If he does go out there and score a hatful, then fantastic, but we won’t be placing any pressure on the lad.”
A reminder of the special promotion, which will last to the end of the 2015 season, which sees all accompanied children under the age of 16 admitted for free to home Scorpions’ meetings.
Admission prices for Friday:
Adult: £15.00
Student/OAP: £13.00
Child (16 – 17): £5.00
Child (0 – 15) Free (accompanied by paying adult)
Family Ticket £35 (2 adults, 2 Children 16-17)
Match Programme: £1.00
Expected teams for Friday:
FluidAir Power Scunthorpe Scorpions, supported by Henderson Insurance: 1. Zdenek Holub, 2. Theo Pijper, 3. Andreas Lyager, 4. Carl Wilkinson, 5. Rider replacement for Ryan Douglas, 6. Alex Davies, 7. Nike Lunna.
Redcar Bears: 1. Aaron Summers (guest for Lasse Bjerre), 2. Rider replacement for Jonas Andersson, 3. Matej Kus, 4. Dimitri Berge, 5. Kenneth Hansen (guest for Stuart Robson), 6. Arthur Sissis (guest for Adam Roynon), 7. Jan Graversen.
Redcar Bears at EWR
Name Lge M R Pts BP (no BP) (w BP) Best Performance
Dimitri Berge PL 1 5 3 1 2.40 3.20 3 + 1 from 5 rides (2015)
Jan Graversen PL 24 109 123 30 4.51 5.61 9 + 4 from 7 rides (2012)
Matej Kus PL 6 30 53 1 7.07 7.20 17 from 5 rides (inc 6 pts T/R (2012))
GUESTS
Kenneth Hansen PL 1 4 3 0 3.00 3.00 3 from 4 rides (2015)
Arthur Sissis PL 1 4 3 2 3.00 5.00 3 + 2 from 4 rides (2015)
Aaron Summers PL 18 84 120 9 5.71 6.14 15 from 6 rides (inc 6 pts T/R (2014))
Other Notes
Dimitri Berge
2012 World Longtrack Champion (250cc)
Has ridden in 1 World Cup meeting for his country.
Made his Premier League debut for Glasgow in 2014.
Recently signed after starting this season with Glasgow.
Jan Graversen
Former Scunthorpe Scorpion.
Member of King’s Lynn’s Premier League Championship, Premier Trophy and KO Cup Winning Teams in 2009.
Matej Kus
Has ridden in 4 Speedway Grand Prix and 6 World Cup Events.
2010 Czech Republic Champion.
Twice Czech Republic Under-21 Champion (2008 and 2009).
2008 Czech Republic Under-19 Champion.
GUESTS
Kenneth Hansen
2003 FIM Youth 80cc Gold Trophy Winner.
Made his Premier League debut for Workington during the 2007 season.
Arthur Sissis
Riding in his debut Premier League season.
2008/2009 Australian Under-16 Champion.
Aaron Summers
Australian Under-16 Champion in 2004.
Member of Edinburgh’s Premier League Championship and Premier Trophy Winning Teams in 2008.
Member of Edinburgh’s Premier League Play-Off Winning Teams in 2008 and 2009.
Member of Coventry’s Elite League Winning Team in 2010.
Member of Birmingham’s Premier League Four-Team Championship Winning Team in 2010.
Redcar Bears’ Results at EWR
30 March 2008 PT D Scunthorpe 45 Redcar 45
06 June 2008 PL L Scunthorpe 52 Redcar 41
19 June 2009 PL L Scunthorpe 49 Redcar 44
31 July 2009 KOC L Scunthorpe 50 Redcar 39
02 October 2009 YS L Scunthorpe 56 Redcar 34
05 April 2010 PT L Scunthorpe 50 Redcar 42
02 May 2010 PL L Scunthorpe 57 Redcar 34
09 September 2011 PL L Scunthorpe 52 Redcar 41
07 October 2011 PL Ph 2 L Scunthorpe 65 Redcar 25
27 April 2012 LC L Scunthorpe 54 Redcar 36
14 September 2012 PL L Scunthorpe 55 Redcar 38
14 June 2013 KOC W Scunthorpe 41 Redcar 49
12 July 2013 PL L Scunthorpe 45 Redcar 44
06 April 2014 LC W Scunthorpe 37 Redcar 50
25 July 2014 PL L Scunthorpe 54 Redcar 39
27 August 2014 PL L Scunthorpe 46 Redcar 43
24 April 2015 LC W Scunthorpe 44 Redcar 45
