Scorpions aim to bounce back in local derby

FLUIDAIR POWER Scunthorpe Scorpions will be looking to bounce straight back from a heavy defeat at Newcastle, when they entertain local rivals Sheffield Tigers at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday (7.30pm), with precious Premier League points up for grabs.

The Scorpions slipped to a 22-67 defeat at Brough Park on Sunday against the Newcastle Diamonds, with only Thomas Jorgensen and David Howe offering any resistance. It came two days after Scunthorpe had picked up a 58-38 home win against the Diamonds, with Ashley Birks and Josh Auty both collecting paid maximums.

It was feared that Jorgensen had picked up a broken scaphoid following a Heat 8 at Brough Park. However such fears proved unfounded.

The Dane tweeted on Monday, following a check-up:

“Update on wrist. Nothing broken. Just badly brushed and ligaments are stretched. A few days off and I’ll be good to go.”

Jorgensen is set to return on Friday, with the Scorpions expected to be at full strength as they take on their local rivals.

Scunthorpe are keen to show last Sunday was just a blip. The team remain third in the Premier League table and if they win on Friday and Ipswich lose at Plymouth on the same night, then the Scorpions could move up to second.

Results between the Scorpions and the Tigers have been topsy-turvy in 2014. Scunthorpe have travelled back from Owlerton three times with four points, but lost their home League Cup against Sheffield on March 30, the opening Scorpions’ meeting of the season at the Eddie Wright Raceway.

Promoter Rob Godfrey said: “When Sheffield were last here, we were still awaiting for Ryan Douglas to arrive after his visa issues over the winter, and they picked our pockets and took the win.

“We’re determined not to let them win at the Eddie Wright Raceway again. Since then we’ve won three times at their place, so we have back the local bragging rights and we’d like to keep it that way.

“Our big defeat at Newcastle was a one-off; it was one of those nights for us. We won’t be dwelling on it.

“Apart from Edinburgh, nearly every team has suffered a heavy defeat at one point or another this season. For example, Somerset went to Ipswich and got hammered there.”

Godfrey is hoping for a bumper attendance for the visit of Sheffield.

He enthused: “What’s almost guaranteed is that it will be another cracking local derby – clashes between the two teams are always hotly contested.

“We won’t take Sheffield lightly, despite their current league position. I’m sure they’ll bring plenty of supporters with them up the M18, looking to get one over us, and likewise we need our fans there in good voice getting behind our lads.

“Our last two home performances have been strong, and we need to put in another professional home performance and pick up the three points.”

There are 24 heats of action in total on Friday night, with a nine-heat second half, including a Midland Development League match between Castleford and Stoke.

Admission prices for Friday:

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 Friday (English unless stated):

FluidAir Power Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Nicolai Klindt (Denmark), 2. David Howe, 3. Ashley Birks, 4, Josh Auty, 5. Ryan Douglas (Australia), 6. Matt Williamson, 7. Thomas Jørgensen (Denmark).

Sheffield Tigers: 1. Simon Stead, 2. Andre Compton, 3. Simon Nielsen (Denmark), 4. Rider replacement for Ty Proctor (Australia), 5. Leigh Lanham, 6. Taylor Poole (Australia), 7. Josh Bates.

Midland Development League teams:
Castleford: 1. Adam Portwood, 2.Tom Bacon, 3.Sam Darroch, 4.Ben Hewitt.
Stoke: 1.David Holt, 2.Sam Ward, 3.Scooter Webster, 4.Sam Woods.

Sheffield Tigers at EWR

Ave Ave Best
Name Lge M R Pts BP (no BP) (w BP) Performance
Josh Bates PL 6 33 13 2 1.58 1.82 5 from 4 rides (2014)
Andre Compton PL 12 53 90 8 6.79 7.39 13 from 5 rides (2005)
Leigh Lanham PL 8 38 67 6 7.05 7.68 14 from 5 rides (inc 4 pts T/R (2011))
Simon Nielsen PL 3 12 9 3 3.00 4.00 4 + 1 from 4 rides (2013)
Taylor Poole PL 5 23 32 6 5.57 6.61 18 from 7 rides (inc 6 pts T/R (2010))
Simon Stead PL 3 15 34 0 9.06 9.06 14 from 5 rides (2014)

Other Notes

Josh Bates
Began the 2013 season in the Scunthorpe Scorpions Premier League side.
Member of Mildenhall’s National League Championship, KO Cup and Trophy Winning Teams in 2012.

Andre Compton
2004 Premier League Riders’ Champion.
Member of Sheffield’s 1999 Premier League Championship Winning Team.
Member of Newcastle’s 2001 Premier League Championship Winning Team.
Member of Sheffield’s Premier League Four-Team Championship Winning Team in 1999.
Member of Workington’s Young Shield Winning Team in 2009.

Leigh Lanham
1997 British Under-21 Champion.
Member of Exeter’s Young Shield Winning Team in 1997.
Member of Newport’s Premier League KO Cup Winning Team in 2011.

Simon Nielsen
Has previously rode in the Premier League with Workington, Leicester and Plymouth.
Winner of the 2005 Individual FIM Youth Gold Trophy (80cc), unofficial Under-16 World Championship.

Taylor Poole
Returning to British speedway after a year’s absence.
2012 Australian Under-21 Champion.

Simon Stead
Three times British Under-21 Champion (2001 to 2003).
Youth Development League Riders Champion 1998.
Has ridden in 4 Speedway GPs and 5 World Cup Tournaments.
Member of Peterborough’s Premier League Championship Winning Team in 1998.
Member of Sheffield’s Premier League Championship and Young Shield Winning Teams in 1999 and 2002.
Member of Sheffield’s Premier Trophy Winning Team in 2001 and KO Cup Winning Team in 2002.
Three times Premier League Fours Winner (1999/2000 with Sheffield and 2004 with Workington).
Member of Workington’s Premier League Pairs Winning Duo in 2003.
Member of Belle Vue’s Elite League Pairs Winning Duo in 2006.
Member of Belle Vue’s Elite League KO Cup Winning Team in 2005.
Member of Coventry’s Elite League Craven Shield Winning Team in 2008.
Member of Swindon’s Elite League Winning Team in 2012.
Named as a ‘doubling-up’ rider with Leicester for the 2014 Elite League season.

Sheffield Tigers’ Results at EWR

23 October 2005 CH L Scunthorpe 47 Sheffield 43
30 October 2007 CH W Scunthorpe 44 Sheffield 45
21 March 2008 PT W Scunthorpe 41 Sheffield 48
11 April 2008 KOC W Scunthorpe 44 Sheffield 48
15 August 2008 PL W Scunthorpe 43 Sheffield 47
20 March 2009 CH L Scunthorpe 60 Sheffield 32
05 May 2009 PL L Scunthorpe 57 Sheffield 38
19 March 2010 PT L Scunthorpe 43 Sheffield 33
30 August 2010 PL W Scunthorpe 41 Sheffield 51
18 March 2011 CH W Scunthorpe 43 Sheffield 47
10 June 2011 PL L Scunthorpe 46 Sheffield 43
04 June 2012 LC W Scunthorpe 40 Sheffield 50
17 August 2012 PL L Scunthorpe 51 Sheffield 42
05 April 2013 LC L Scunthorpe 50 Sheffield 38
21 June 2013 PL L Scunthorpe 63 Sheffield 31
29 September 2013 RC L Scunthorpe 54 Sheffield 24
30 March 2014 LC W Scunthorpe 42 Sheffield 48