Scorpions v Panthers KOC preview
SCORPIONS UP FOR THE CUP!
HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions take a break from league action this weekend, when they host Peterborough Panthers in a Knockout Cup clash at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Sunday (5.30pm).
The match is the first leg of a quarter-final tie against the Panthers, with the second leg at the East Of England Showground on Friday, June 16th.
Scorpions are still currently two men down, after the shock decisions by Josh Auty and Josh Bailey to quit last weekend. Rider replacement will operate for Auty, while Ipswich’s on-song Nathan Greaves will cover for Bailey.
Meanwhile, Chris Harris, a former winner of the British Grand Prix at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, is set to make his debut at No 1 for Panthers.
Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey says: “It’s been a very tough season for us so far, with the injuries to Fritz Waller and Stefan Nielsen, followed by the decisions made by Josh Auty and Josh Bailey.
“It’s been a disappointing league campaign for us to date, but the cup gives us a fresh opportunity for something to aim for.
“Peterborough do have a strong side, and they’ve just signed Chris Harris as their new No. 1. It’s his debut for them on Sunday, so we’re expecting a fair few of Panthers’ supporters to travel up to the Eddie Wright Raceway.
“But I believe that in Nathan Greaves, we’ve got the best guest we could possibly track in place of Josh Bailey. And everyone can take a rider replacement ride, so as long as our riders are on song, we can cover that.
“In view of our fighting performance at Newcastle last Sunday, where we pushed them all the way, I have every confidence that we can get a positive result and open up a lead to take down for the second leg at Peterborough.”
Godfrey also wishes to reassure supporters that the Scunthorpe promotion are taking steps to fill the two vacant spots in the team.
“I know the question on everyone’s lips at the moment is when are going to replace the two Josh’s with new riders”, he says.
“I can assure our supporters that we’ve been actively searching, and we will make the right moves for the right riders at the right times.
“I’m not going to be rushed into anything, and any moves will be looking to future seasons as well as this one. We’ve made progress, and we will make another announcement very, very soon.”
There are 21 heats of action in total on Sunday, including a six-heat second half Northern Junior League match between Halifax Dukes and Redcar Cubs.
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. Rider replacement for Josh Auty, 6. Tero Aarnio, 7. Nathan Greaves (guest).
Peterborough Panthers: 1. Chris Harris, 2. Rider replacement for Jack Holder, 3. Paul Starke, 4. Ulrich Ostergaard, 5. Kyle Newman (guest), 6. Simon Lambert 7. Tom Bacon.
Northern Junior League teams:
Halifax Dukes: 1. Kean Dicken, 2. Sheldon Davies, 3. Jordan Palin, 4. Harry McGurk.
Redcar Cubs: 1. Carl Basford, 2. Gavin Parr, 3. Alex Goldsborough, 4. Kyran Lyden.
