MDL Report: Scunthorpe v Peterborough (challenge)

Scunthorpe Stags 10
Peterborough Thundercats 25
Challenge, Sunday 2/4/17

A disappointing Stags performance on their home track led to their second heavy defeat to the Thundercats in 10 days. Sam and Ditchy simply couldn’t get out of the gate, and with Sheldon suffering mechanical gremlins with both of his bikes, it was left to Luke to take the challenge to the Peterborough riders, although he too had left his gating gloves at home giving his opponents too much of a head start.

The Thundercats were very impressive throughout. Alex Wilson and Gavin Parr both registered maximums, whilst Carl Basford was only beaten once. Even Tom Spencer, in his first ever meeting at this level, had a paid win in his first race.

It was a different story in the 125cc demonstration races when the McGurk brothers, Harry and Sam, representing Scunthorpe, stormed to three 5-1’s in impressive style. Sam was unfortunate to suffer a nasty-looking tumble in his first race when his front wheel washed away but amazingly he was soon back on his feet and, as the demonstration races had no bearing on the Challenge match score, he was allowed to take his place with the others in the re-run which he went on to win! Peterborough’s Mickie Simpson was not so fortunate. In his second ride he collected the turn 4 fence and went cartwheeling with his bike down the home straight. Thankfully, after prolonged attention on the track he was able to walk into the ambulance for the trip back to the pits. It is understood he is feeling battered and bruised but nothing more serious. Corbin Pavitt battled hard for the visitors and kept the pressure on the McGurks.

Scunthorpe Stags 10
1. Sam Chapman – 1,1,2,0 = 4
2. Lloyd Ditchburn – F(rem), 0,1+1 = 1+1
3. Luke Whitehead – 2,2,1 = 5
4. Sheldon Davies – NS, F, NS = 0

Peterborough ‘Motive Car Accessories’ Thundercats 25
1. Alex Wilson – 3,3,3 = 9 (MAX)
2. Tom Spencer – 2+1, F,0 = 2+1
3. Carl Basford – 1,3,2+1 = 6+1
4. Gavin Parr – 3,2+1,3 = 8+1 (PAID MAX)

1. Wilson, Spencer, Chapman, Ditchburn, 1-5 (1-5)
2. Parr, Whitehead, Basford, Davies(NS). 2-4 (3-9)
3. Basford, Parr, Chapman, Ditchburn. 1-5 (4-14)
4. Wilson, Whitehead, Davies (F), Spencer (F). 2-3 (6-17)
5. Parr, Chapman, Ditchburn, Spencer. 3-3 (9-20)
6. Wilson, Basford, Whitehead, Chapman. 1-5 (10-25)

125cc Demonstration Races
Harry McGurk (Scunthorpe) – 2+1, 3,3 = 8+1 (PAID MAX)
Sam McGurk (Scunthorpe) – 3,2+1,2+1 = 7+2 (PAID MAX)
Mickie Simpson (Peterborough) – 0,F,NS = 0
Corbit Pavitt (Peterborough) – 1,1,1 = 3

A. Sam McGurk, Harry McGurk, Pavitt, Simpson
B. Harry McGurk, Sam McGurk, Pavitt, Simpson (F)
C. Harry McGurk, Sam McGurk, Pavitt, (Simpson NS)