Encouraging start for battling Scorpions
SHEFFIELD TIGERS 49 SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS 41 (CHAMPIONSHIP SHIELD)
HEB Scunthorpe Scorpions just missed out on a point in their opening fixture of the 2019 season, after a narrow 41-49 loss in a Championship Shield match at local rivals Sheffield Tigers last night (Sunday).
Scorpions provided the majority of heat-winners against their much-fancied opponents, but Tigers were more effective in packing the minor placings.
Jake Allen led the way for Scorpions, with the Australian taking three heat wins on his way to 13 points, including a brace of victories over former British Champion Danny King.
His main support came from Josh Auty (8+2), Stefan Nielsen (7) and Jason Garrity (7), while reserve Josh Bailey chipped in for a victory in Heat 2.
There were tough debuts for newcomers Jedd List – who suffered machinery troubles – and Ryan Kinsley, but both were on the pace and both will improve as they gain experience at this level.
Sheffield led throughout and extended that lead to twelve points after ten races.
Scorpions took three successive heat advantages from Heats 11 to 13 – including a 5-1 from Nielsen and Auty in Heat 11 – and that reduced the deficit to just four points.
But Sheffield clinched victory with a 5-1 in Heat 14 and then King won Heat 15, as Scorpions just missed out.
16-year-old sensation Drew Kemp was the match-winner for Tigers, with 13+1 from reserve.
Speaking post-meeting, Scorpions’ team manager Dave Peet said: “An away visit to Sheffield was a really tough test for our opening meeting, and all-in-all, I’m pleased with our performance.
“We didn’t start the meeting too strongly – the Sheffield riders had a bit more track time than ours going into the meeting. But we got more into it as we went along, and nearly took a point out of it.
“Jake Allen got caught out by a patch of dirt in his first ride and came off. But he dusted himself down and got on with it after that, and he had a good night.
“Both teams lost points, but I think the luck just about evened itself out. Sheffield are a strong side, so I’m pleased that we’ve gone there and given them a run for their money – it bodes well.”
SHEFFIELD TIGERS 49
1. Danny King 3 2 3 2 3 (13)
2. Zaine Kennedy 2* 1* 1* 2* (6+4)
3. Kasper Andersen 2 FX 1 0 (3)
4. Ty Proctor 0 X 3 3 0 (6)
5. Kyle Howarth 2* 3 1 0 (6+1)
6. Broc Nicol 1* 1 0 (2+1)
7. Drew Kemp 2 3 2 2 2 2* (13+1)
HENDERSON INSURANCE SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS 41
1. Josh Auty 1 3 2* 1 1* (8+2)
2. Stefan Nielsen 0 1 3 3 (7)
3. Jason Garrity 3 2 1 1 (7)
4. Jedd List 1 R M 1 (2)
5. Jake Allen FX 3 2 3 3 2 (13)
6. Ryan Kinsley 0 0 0 (0)
7. Josh Bailey 3 1 0 0 0 (4)
1: King, Kennedy, Auty, Nielsen, 62.1 (5-1) (5-1).
2: Bailey, Kemp, Nicol, Kinsley, 62.1 (3-3) (8-4).
3: (Re-run) Garrity, Andersen, List, Proctor (15m penalty), 62.8 (2-4) (10-8).
4: Kemp, Howarth, Bailey, Allen (fell, excluded), 64.6 (5-1) (15-9).
5: (Re-run twice) Auty, Kemp (15m penalty), Nielsen, Andersen (fell, excluded), Proctor (excluded, second starting offence), 64.2 (2-4) (17-13).
6: Allen, King, Kennedy, Kinsley, 62.9 (3-3) (20-16).
7: Howarth, Garrity, Nicol, List (ret), 63.1 (4-2) (24-18).
8: Nielsen, Kemp, Kennedy, Bailey, 62.2 (3-3) (27-21).
9: Proctor, Allen, Andersen, Kinsley, 63.1 (4-2) (31-23).
10: King, Kennedy, Garrity, Bailey, List (excluded, two minutes), 62.8 (5-1) (36-24).
11: Nielsen, Auty, Howarth, Nicol, 64.1 (1-5) (37-29).
12: Allen (T/S), Kemp, Garrity, Andersen, 63.0 (2-4) (39-33).
13: Allen, King, Auty, Howarth, 63.5 (2-4) (41-37).
14: Proctor, Kemp, List, Bailey, 63.4 (5-1) (46-38).
15: King, Allen, Auty, Proctor, 63.4 (3-3) (49-41).
* HEB Scunthorpe Scorpions are involved in their first home meeting of the season at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday (April 5) at 7.30pm, against Leicester Lions in a Championship Shield fixture.
