Scorpions out to defeat local rivals

HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions are seeking to put one over local rivals Sheffield Tigers at the Eddie Wright Raceway later today (Sunday, 5.30pm).

Scorpions suffered a double blow in the defeat at Ipswich on Thursday evening, with both Ryan Douglas (concussion) and Stefan Nielsen (broken collarbone) having to withdraw during the meeting.

Douglas is OK, but is ruled out today, since he has to wait a week before he can return to action. The exact length of Nielsen’s spell on the sidelines is still to be determined.

Meanwhile, Carl Wilkinson is due to return today, after picking up a knock in the recent British Semi-Final at Sheffield.

With rider replacement the only available option for Douglas, it was key for Scorpions to find a quality guest for Nielsen, and they have turned to Peterborough’s free-scoring reserve Bradley Wilson-Dean.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey says: “We realised the importance of the guest rider, and we’ve booked the best rider available in Bradley Wilson-Dean, who has already scored a dozen points in an appearance at the Eddie Wright Raceway this season.

“Sheffield will see we have riders missing and fancy their chances. It will be tough, make no mistake about that, but I feel we can come out on top.

“I’m expecting the usual cut-and-thrust of a fiercely contested local derby, with some top-notch racing.

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

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

Admission prices for today:

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 today:

Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Michael Palm Toft (captain), 2. Carl Wilkinson, 3. Lewis Kerr, 4. Rider replacement for Ryan Douglas, 5. Josh Auty, 6. Bradley Wilson-Dean (guest), 7. Josh Bailey.

Sheffield Tigers: 1. Josh Grajczonek, 2. Todd Kurtz, 3. Lasse Bjerre, 4. Josh Bates, 5. Kyle Howarth, 6. Rob Branford, 7. Rob Shuttleworth (guest).

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.