Scunthorpe Scorpions v Berwick Bandits preview

MUST-WIN MEETING FOR FULL STRENGTH SCORPIONS

HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions will return to full strength for the home meeting against Berwick Bandits in a league fixture at the Eddie Wright Raceway in Normanby Road tonight (Friday, 7.30pm).

In an injury-hit season, Scorpions have been missing at least one rider, ever since skipper Steve Worrall crashed out of their season opener on April 6, sustaining a complicated leg fracture.

Worrall returned just over a month ago, while Stefan Nielsen – another broken leg victim – returns for tonight’s meeting after nearly three months out since crashing at Poole on May 23.

Scorpions had one further injury doubt, but Josh Auty is set to ride tonight, having spent nearly two weeks on the sidelines with ligament damage to his ankle, after crashing in Scorpions’ last fixture at Workington on August 5.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey says: “We seem to have been blighted by one injury after another, but tonight Stefan Nielsen will be back at No. 2 following the broken leg he suffered in May, which is great news.

“We were sweating on the fitness of Josh Auty, after he hurt his ankle at Workington, so I’m delighted he’s also back after missing a few meetings for his Premiership team, Leicester.

“It will be great to have all seven riders back on track, especially as we since have so much to still race for this season, as we already have a place in two cup semi-finals.”

Tonight’s meeting against Bandits is the first of four successive Friday night meetings at the Eddie Wright Raceway, as Scorpions look to salvage a place in the Championship play-offs.

Godfrey adds: “We know that we only have five league matches left and we must win them all, to stand any chance of progressing to the play-offs.

“The Bandits have a very solid looking team from top to bottom and are bound to give us a tough match, especially with the likes of ex-Scorpions David Howe and Theo Pijper in their ranks.

“Berwick are one of the teams we must catch if we’re to make the play-offs, but if we can take maximum points from our last five matches, we’ll have a chance.

“It’s going to be an exciting night of action, full of tremendous racing, and we need to come out on top and collect the three points.”

Admission prices for tonight:

Adult: £16.00
Student/OAP: £14.00
Child (10 – 17): £5.00
Child (0 – 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult)
Family Ticket £37 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-17)
Match Programme: £1.00

Expected teams for tonight:

Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Steve Worrall (captain), 2. Stefan Nielsen, 3. Jason Garrity, 4. Jake Allen, 5. Josh Auty, 6. Danny Phillips, 7. Gino Manzares.

Berwick Bandits: 1. Kevin Doolan, 2. Aaron Summers, 3. Dany Gappmaier, 4. Jye Etheridge, 5. David Howe, 6. Theo Pijper, 7. Nikolaj B Jakobsen.