Scorpions vs Monarchs preview (Rained off)

HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions entertain reigning Premier League champions, the Edinburgh Monarchs, in an intriguing looking clash at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Sunday (6.30pm).

Scorpions are looking to return to winning ways, after three successive home defeats, and are boosted by the presence of new signing Lewis Kerr.

Kerr will make his debut for the club a day earlier on Saturday, in the away meeting at Workington, which has a 6pm start-time due to the Euro 2016 football championships.

Last year Edinburgh became the first team in over two decades to successfully defend a league title at second-tier level, but have found things harder going so far in 2016.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey says: “The signing of Lewis Kerr gives us some cause for optimism. Obviously the last few weeks have been very tough for us, and results have been a long way from what we have desired.

“We’ve now got a chance to change around our fortunes. Edinburgh Monarchs have been the kings in the Premier League over the last couple of seasons, but they are beatable this season.

“They’ve got the better of us the last couple of years, so it would be satisfying if we could return to winning ways at home against them.”

Godfrey is ‘delighted’ with the signing of 26-year-old Englishman Kerr, who replaces Dane Andreas Lyager.

“The departure of Andreas came like a bolt out of the blue”, reveals Godfrey. “We didn’t see it coming at all – and neither did he.

“He’s been doing an apprenticeship alongside his speedway career, and he suddenly received a letter from his employer, notifying him that he was no longer permitted the time off to come over to the UK.

“It’s sad for Andreas, but we have already managed to sign a very good replacement in the shape of Lewis Kerr. He was very unlucky to lose his team place at Ipswich when the Witches signed Ben Barker from Glasgow last week.

“Lewis is a quality young British rider, so naturally he was being chased by a number of Premier League clubs the moment that he became available. I’m delighted to say that he chose to sign for us.”

Kerr has made two appearances at the Eddie Wright Raceway in 2016. In March, he scored 11 points for Ipswich in a League Cup encounter, defeating every Scorpion bar one (Ryan Douglas) along the way. He then scored a highly creditable seven points in the highly competitive British Semi-Final at the EWR in mid-May.

Godfrey adds: “We know Lewis can ride our place, plus we know we’ve got a rider who is going to score points for us straight away.

“It’s not like when you sign a European rider on a 7.00 average and have to wait for them to adjust and learn all the tracks. Lewis knows all that and he will score good points for us both at home and away. His welcome addition does add more strength to our side.”

There are 24 heats of action in total on Sunday, with a nine-race second half including a six-heat Midland Development League match between Scunthorpe and Long Eaton.

Admission prices for Sunday:

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 Sunday:

Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Josh Auty, 2. Lewis Kerr, 3. Michael Palm Toft, 4. Alex Davies, 5. Ryan Douglas, 6. Carl Wilkinson, 7. Josh Bailey.

Edinburgh Monarchs: 1. Sam Masters, 2. Erik Riss, 3. Kevin Wolbert, 4. Mark Riss, 5. Ryan Fisher, 6. Max Clegg, 7. Dan Bewley.

Midland Development League teams:
Scunthorpe Stags: 1. TBA, 2. Lloyd Ditchburn, 3. Luke Whitehead, 4. Sam Chapman.
Long Eaton Invaders: 1. Bradley Andrews, 2. Stephen Whitehouse, 3. Layne Cupitt, 4. Craig Osborne.

Edinburgh Monarchs at EWR

Other Notes

Daniel Bewley
Riding in his first season of British League racing.
Rides for Belle Vue in the 2016 National League.

Max Clegg
Former Scunthorpe Saint.
Member of Dudley’s National League Championship and KO Cup Winning Teams in 2013.
Member of Cradley’s NL Championship, KO Cup, National Shield and Fours Winning Teams in 2014.
Member of Edinburgh’s Premier League Championship and League Cup Winning Teams in 2015.

Ryan Fisher
Has represented his Country in 13 World Cup meetings.
Member of Edinburgh’s Premier League Championship, Premier Trophy and Play-off Winning Teams in 2008.
Member of Edinburgh’s Premier League Play-offs Winning Team in 2009.
Member of Edinburgh’s Premier League Championship Winning Team in 2010.

Sam Masters
Has ridden in 1 Speedway Grand Prix.
2011 Premier League Riders Champion.
2012 New South Wales State Champion.
2014 Victorian State Champion
Member of Poole’s Elite Shield Winning Team in 2012.
Member of Edinburgh’s Premier League Championship, KO Cup League Cup and Pairs Winning Teams in 2014.
Member of Edinburgh’s Premier League Championship, League Cup and Fours Winning Teams in 2015.

Erik Riss
Member of Edinburgh’s Premier League Championship, League Cup and Fours Winning Teams in 2015.

Mark Riss
Recently signed for Edinburgh and in his first year of British League racing.
Elder brother of team-mate Erik.

Kevin Wolbert
Twice German National Champion (2008, 2011)
Has rode in 6 World Cup events.
Member of Edinburgh’s Premier League Play-Off Winning Team in 2009.
Member of Edinburgh’s Premier League Championship Winning Team in 2010.
Rode as a member of the Poole Pirates Team that won the Elite League and KO Cup in 2011.
Member of Edinburgh’s Premier League Championship and League Cup Winning Teams in 2015.

Edinburgh Monarchs’ PL Record at EWR

Meetings Ridden: 11

Won: 5
Drawn: 0
Lost: 6

Biggest Win: 53 – 39 (26 May 2008)
Heaviest Defeat: 59 – 34 (30 September 2012)

Last Visit: 50 – 40 (W – 4 May 2015)