Heartbreak for Scorpions
SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS 44 EDINBURGH MONARCHS 45 (PREMIER LEAGUE)
HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions suffered the heartbreak of a 44-45 defeat to Edinburgh Monarchs in a thriller at the Eddie Wright Raceway yesterday evening (Sunday), although the result is dependent on the outcome of a protest by the Scorpions.
Scorpions led by four points into the final race after what appeared to be a key 5-1 from Carl Wilkinson and Michael Palm Toft in Heat 14.
However, it all went wrong for the Scorpions in Heat 15. Ryan Douglas & Lewis Kerr were holding the positions that they needed, but both Scorpions got out of shape and Kerr came down and was excluded from the re-run.
In the re-start, Douglas was chasing the Monarchs’ pair of Erik Riss and Sam Masters, when he hit picked up some drive and came crashing down, also bringing down Riss.
The Monarchs were left simply needing to cruise around for a 5-0.
Michael Palm Toft top scored for Scorpions from 12+2 from 7 rides, while the ever-improving Kerr contributed 11+2 prior to his final race fall.
Never than four points separated the two teams at any point, as the lead swung one way and then the other, with some terrific racing along the way.
Scorpions’ team manager Dave Peet said: “I’m really gutted about losing the meeting the way that we did in Heat 15.
“Going up the back straight, we were almost on a 5-1. But it all went wrong going into the bend, and Lewis (Kerr) came down.
“In the re-run, Ryan (Douglas) missed the gate and then fell in the same place as Lewis the first time around.
“It was one of those meetings where you simply could not predict the result of a race. It was unpredictable throughout, and unfortunately for us, that included Heat 15.
“It was a shame after the lads put in so much effort earlier on.”
PROTEST OVER DAVEY
Peet also revealed that there may be one final twist: over the eligibility of Monarchs’ No 7 guest Mitchell Davey. Davey guested for Dan Bewley, who was riding for National League Belle Vue at Buxton.
“It was quite clear to us that his inclusion was illegal”, says Peet. “We rode under protest regarding his eligibility, so we’ll wait and see how that goes.”
HENDERSON INSURANCE SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS 44
1. Ryan Douglas 2 2* 0 2 FX (6+1)
2. Alex Davies R/R
3. Lewis Kerr 3 1* 3 2* 2 FX (11+2)
4. Carl Wilkinson 0 0 2 3 3 (8)
5. Josh Auty 3 1 3 0 (7)
6. Michael Palm Toft 3 0 3 2 2* 0 2* (12+2)
7. Josh Bailey 0 0 0 (0)
EDINBURGH MONARCHS 45
1. Sam Masters 3 3 X 1 2* (9+1)
2. Mark Riss 1 0 2 1 (4)
3. Erik Riss 2 3 3 1 3 (12)
4. Ryan Fisher 1* 2* 1 0 (4+1)
5. Kevin Wolbert 2 1 1 3 (7)
6. Max Clegg 1* 0 0 3 1 (5+1)
7. Mitchell Davey (Guest) 2 1* 1* (4+2)
1: Masters, Douglas, M Riss, Wilkinson, 59.7 (2-4) (2-4).
2: Palm Toft, Davey, Clegg, Bailey, 58.0 (3-3) (5-7).
3: Kerr, E Riss, Fisher, Wilkinson, 57.7 (3-3) (8-10).
4: Auty, Wolbert, Davey, Bailey, 57.9 (3-3) (11-13).
5: Masters, Wilkinson, Kerr, M Riss, 58.1 (3-3) (14-16).
6: Kerr, Douglas, Wolbert, Clegg, 57.7 (5-1) (19-17).
7: E Riss, Fisher, Auty, Palm Toft, 58.1 (1-5) (20-22).
8: Palm Toft, M Riss, Davey, Bailey, 58.1 (3-3) (23-25).
9: Wilkinson, Kerr, Wolbert, Clegg, 58.6 (5-1) (28-26).
10: E Riss, Palm Toft, Fisher, Douglas, 58.1 (2-4) (30-30).
11: Auty, Palm Toft, M Riss, Masters (excluded), awarded – no time (5-1) (35-31).
12: Clegg, Kerr, E Riss, Palm Toft, 59.0 (2-4) (37-35).
13: Wolbert, Douglas, Masters, Auty, 58.1 (2-4) (39-39).
14: Wilkinson, Palm Toft, Clegg, Fisher, 59.6 (5-1) (44-40).
15: (Re-run twice) E Riss, Masters, Douglas (fell, excluded), Kerr (fell, excluded), 60.3 (0-5) (44-45).
PHOTO: Looking good for Scorpions in Heat 15, before it all went wrong.
