Big improvement from Stags

SCUNTHORPE STAGS 37 KING’S LYNN YOUNG STARS 56 (National League Knockout Cup, 2nd leg)

SCUNTHORPE STAGS gave easily their best performance of the season, in reaching 37 points in the second leg of their KO Cup tie against the King’s Lynn Young Stars at the Eddie Wright Raceway yesterday (Sunday).

Having suffered heavy defeats in their previous three fixtures, the improvement of the Stags – in their second home meeting – was visible.

Both Ryan MacDonald and Danno Verge, despite their inexperience, raced to paid double-figure tallies. MacDonald set the fastest time of the meeting in Heat 2.

The highlight for the Stags came in Heat 14. Adam Kirby beat Scott Campos from the start, and then Liam Sanderson – a 15-year schoolboy from Scunthorpe – raced around the outside in fine style to leap from third to first, as the Saints took their first 5-1 of the season, much to the delight of the home support.

Stags’ chairman and team manager Richard Hollingsworth said: “Today was a huge step forward.

“The progress we’ve seen from the riders over the course of this week convinces me that we are doing the right thing with the Stags.

“The performance from the lads today was a world apart from last Sunday – they’ve improved so much already.

“Ryan (MacDonald) and Danno (Verge) were both paid for double figures today. I really can’t ask any more from them than that.

“Liam Sanderson’s ride in Heat 14 was something special, and his 5-1 with Adam Kirby in that race was our first 5-1 this season. Liam has had his ups and downs in the last week, but there was just talent oozing from him in that ride.”

SCUNTHORPE 37: Steve Jones 11, Ryan MacDonald 9+1, Danno Verge 8+2, Adam Kirby 5+1, Liam Sanderson 3, Sam Woods 1+1, Arron Mogridge r/r.
KING’S LYNN 56: James Cockle 17+1, Darren Mallett 15+3, Kyle Hughes 12, Scott Campos 9+2, Josh Bailey 2+2, Rikki Mullins 1, Lewis Rose r/r.
King’s Lynn win 123-61 on aggregate.

PHOTO: Liam Sanderson makes his move in Heat 14.