Scorpions vs Comets preview *Meeting postponed*

* Please note that this meeting has been postponed *

NEW SIGNING Jake Allen will make his debut for the Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions against the Workington Comets at the Eddie Wright Raceway tomorrow (Sunday, 5.30pm) – with the club seeking a precious home SGB Championship victory.

Scorpions lost 36-48 to Glasgow Tigers at the EWR last Sunday, and a casualty of that defeat was long-serving club stalwart Carl Wilkinson, who failed to score from three outings.

21-year-old Australian Allen was brought in just before the transfer window slammed shut, and joins Scorpions on loan from Somerset Rebels for the rest of the season. He also races for the Rebels in the SGB Premiership.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey says: “We’ve lost seven times out of 12 at home this season, and that record is simply not good enough.

“We needed to do something to freshen up the team, and replacing Wilko was the most obvious move, as hard as it was to release a rider who has been a fantastic servant to the Scorpions over so many years.

“We’ve gone for a one-for-one change, and I’m delighted to have secured the services of Jake Allen, a great young talent in the sport and an out-and-out racer who will love it around the Eddie Wright Raceway. Our thanks go to the Somerset promotion.

“We considered all the options. We looked at two-for-two changes, even three-for-three. But, in the end, I didn’t want to do anything that would upset the balance of the side.

“You’ve got to be careful, because there’s a low points limit this season (40), and if you strengthen in one part of the team, you’ve got to make sure you don’t weaken elsewhere.

“In the end, I decided against sweeping changes, because I think that would have weakened us rather than strengthened us.

“As it is, with just one change, it means that Tero Aarnio, who has scored 13 points in the last two home meetings, should stay at reserve for the rest of the season.

“We’ve still got six home SGB Championship meetings this season to win, plus we’ve still got the Knockout Cup to chase when Peterborough come here on September 22.”

Godfrey is expecting a tough battle against the Comets.

He says: “They’ve got their No 1 Craig Cook ruled out with a bad back, but have bought in a superb replacement in former British Grand Prix Champion and three times British Champion Chris Harris.

“I’m sure many of our fans would have seen Bomber on the TV just a few weeks ago leading Great Britain’s scoring in the World Cup final in Poland – now they have a chance to see him in the flesh.

“Plus the Comets have three ex-Scunthorpe riders in Thomas Jorgensen, Matt Williamson and James Sarjeant.

“They’ve got a good side, but if our riders step up to the plate, I don’t see any reason why we can’t emerge from the meeting with the three SGB Championship points.”

There are 21 heats of action in total on Sunday, including a six-heat second half Northern Junior League match between Halifax Dukes and Workington Meteors.

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. Jake Allen, 3. Josh Auty, 4. Ryan Douglas, 5. Lewis Kerr, 6. Tero Aarnio, 7. Josh Bailey.

Workington Comets: 1. Chris Harris (guest), 2. Mason Campton, 3. Ty Proctor, 4. Matt Williamson, 5. Thomas Jorgensen, 6. James Sarjeant, 7. Rob Shuttleworth.

Northern Junior League teams:
Halifax Dukes: 1. Kean Dicken, 2. Dan Gilkes, 3. Jordan Palin, 4. Harry McGurk.
Workington Meteors: 1. Liam Little, 2. TBC, 3. Sam McGurk, 4. Callum Gill.