Scunthorpe Scorpions v Sheffield Tigers preview

DERBY TESTER FOR SCORPIONS

HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions face a tough test to their SGB Championship play-off aspirations with the visit of local rivals Sheffield Tigers at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Sunday (5.30pm).

It’s a fortnight since Scorpions were last in action at home, when they picked up a 56-34 victory over Berwick, with new signing Stefan Nielsen netting an impressive 10+2 on his debut and skipper Michael Palm Toft leading the way with 13 points.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey says: “Sheffield always provide us with one of our toughest tests of the season, and I’m sure they will give us a real run for our money and it will be one hell of a speedway meeting.

“It’ll be tough, make no mistake about it, but I feel we can come out on top.

“Sheffield always bring plenty of fans up with them along the M18, so we need our fans to be in good voice on Sunday, and help cheer our lads onto the result we need.”

Godfrey feels Scorpions now have a side that can challenge for honours for the rest of the season.

“I’m looking to see us kick on and string a few wins together”, he says.

“We’ve now got a very good team. Barring injuries, I feel we’ve got our 1-to-7 in place for the rest of the season.

“Once Stefan Nielsen moves up into the team, it will push another strong rider to reserve. That might be Wilko (Carl Wilkinson) next. And then it could be one of the other lads. But whoever is there should be banging in the points.

“All-in-all, I feel pretty positive about the rest of 2017. We’ll take it one match at a time and see where it takes us.”

There are 21 heats of action in total on Sunday, including a six-heat second half Midland Development League match between Scunthorpe Stags and Belle Vue Colts.

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. Michael Palm Toft (captain), 2. Carl Wilkinson, 3. Lewis Kerr, 4. Ryan Douglas, 5. Josh Auty, 6. Stefan Nielsen, 7. Josh Bailey.

Sheffield Tigers: 1. Josh Grajczonek, 2. Todd Kurtz, 3. Lasse Bjerre, 4. Josh Bates, 5. Kyle Howarth, 6. Rob Branford, 7. Jack Parkinson-Blackburn.

Midland Development League teams:
Scunthorpe Stags: 1. Chris Bambury, 2. Sam Chapman, 3. Luke Whitehead, 4. Sheldon Davies.
Belle Vue Colts: 1. Sam Woolley, 2. Lloyd Ditchburn, 3. Stephen Whitehouse, 4. Luke McKenna.

* HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions are also in action at Ipswich on Thursday evening (7.30pm).