Scunthorpe Scorpions vs Ipswich Witches preview

HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions are looking to build on their “best result of the season” when they host third-placed Ipswich Witches in a SGB Championship encounter at the Eddie Wright Raceway tomorrow (Sunday, 5.30pm).

Last Saturday, Scorpions took a superb 50-43 victory at Workington, their first victory at Derwent Park since 1980.

Lewis Kerr (10+2), Tero Aarnio (10) and Michael Palm Toft (9+1) were the top scores in a very solid performance by the Scorpions, with new signing Jake Allen contributing 6+3.

However, Scorpions must go into action against Witches without Allen, since the Australian, who celebrated his 22nd birthday on Friday, broke two small bones in his wrist, while riding at Somerset on Wednesday.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “We’ve had a lot of misfortune this season, and Jake’s injury is the latest chapter of that. He’d done such a good job for us so far, scoring paid nine at Workington and then top-scoring for Scorpions in the fours at Peterborough.

“We’re hoping he won’t be out for long, while our only option against Ipswich on Sunday is to use rider replacement in his absence.

“However, we must be positive, and look to the fact that his rides can be taken by Josh Auty, Ryan Douglas and our reserves, and they all had good meetings in our victory at Workington last week.”

Ipswich Witches, who have a very potent spearhead in former British Champion Danny King and Australian international Rory Schlein, won a thriller at the Eddie Wright Raceway in May, winning by 46-44, and Sunday’s encounter promises to be another humdinger.

Godfrey comments: “It’s going to be tough because Ipswich are a good side who are very much on course to claim one of the four play-off spots. But the boys are very upbeat after the win at Workington, which was our best result of the season.

“Momentum is a big thing in speedway and we’ll be looking to maintain that.

“We’ve shown what we can do when the boys all perform to their capabilities, and we can do that again.”

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

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

Ipswich Witches: 1. Danny King, 2. Kyle Newman, 3. Cameron Heeps, 4. Rider replacement for Justin Sedgmen, 5. Rory Schlein, 6. Nathan Greaves, 7. Connor Mountain.

Northern Junior League teams:
Halifax Dukes: 1. Kean Dicken, 2. Joe Lawlor, 3. Jordan Palin, 4. Harry McGurk.
Northside Stars: 1. James Hitchin, 2. Lewis Millar, 3. Corban Pavitt, 4. Gregor Millar.