Cup Final preview: Scunthorpe v Workington

BIGGEST SPEEDWAY MEETING IN SCUNTHORPE FOR SIX YEARS

HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions have made their preparations for the first leg of the SGB Championship Knockout Cup final against Workington Comets at the Eddie Wright Raceway in Normanby Road tomorrow (Sunday, 5pm) – and are all ready to put in a big performance.

Scunthorpe are riding in the KO Cup Final at second-tier level for the first time in their history, at the 24th attempt, with the second leg taking place at Workington’s Derwent Park next Thursday (October 25th).

Scorpions again have had an extensive behind-the-scenes practice, as they did before the first leg of the semi-final with Peterborough.

Scunthorpe owner and promoter Rob Godfrey said: “Having a thorough practice paid rich dividends against Peterborough in the semi-final, when we built up a nice lead from the first leg at Scunthorpe, which we then defended in the second leg down in Peterborough.

“It’s the same plan again against Workington. We will prepare the track to give us some home track advantage, while our riders have taken the chance to practice and prepare.

“It means our lads should be dialled in and ready to go, as we look to get as many points on the board as we can.”

Injuries wrecked Scorpions’ chances in the league, but they have a chance to gain redemption in the Cup.

Scorpions’ No 1 Josh Auty is ruled out of the rest of the season by injury and replaced by Ricky Wells, while Workington are without Dan Bewley, and use rider replacement for him.

In addition, both clubs have one injury doubt. In-form Jake Allen picked up a knee injury during the week, while Ty Proctor crashed out while riding for Comets at Rye House on Friday night.

Godfrey added: “Winning the Cup would be a way to finish the season on a major, major high.

“A Cup final is a Cup final. It’s a big meeting, and there’s no doubt it’s the biggest meeting we’ve staged since we won the league at the Eddie Wright Raceway in 2012.

“With an all-round team effort, with everyone chipping in, we can get the better of Workington over the two legs and lift the Cup for the first time, and I have every faith that we can do that.

“It won’t be easy, because the Comets are a classy outfit – it’s no accident that they could still win the treble this season.

“We definitely need the supporters right behind the lads, and that’s why we’ve pegged the admission prices at our usual prices for our home leg, which means it is just £16 for adults to watch a Cup final. We need a big crowd cheering on the boys – a loud, vocal crowd really does make a difference to the riders.”

Scorpions have put on plenty of extra entertainment, including a whole FREE extra 11 races, with the British 125cc Championship taking place in the second half, featuring the stars of the future. There’s also fireworks, a bouncy castle and hook-a-duck.

Admission prices on Sunday:

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 Sunday:

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

Workington Comets: 1. Rene Bach, 2. Rider replacement for Dan Bewley, 3. Nicolai Klindt, 4. Rasmus Jensen, 5. Ty Proctor, 6. Kyle Bickley, 7. Mason Campton.

British 125cc Championship line-up:

Freddie Fox-Baron, Max Perry, Alex Goldsbrough, Ben Trigger, Liam Sharples, Sam McGurk, Vinnie Foord, Kyran Lyden, Max James, Caydin Martin.