Scorpions out to complete job and secure the cup

TONIGHT’S the night, when Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions can create a slice of history, provided that they can score 37 points or more in the second and decisive leg of the SGB Championship Knockout Cup Final at Workington’s Derwent Park in Cumbria tonight (Thursday, 7.30pm).

Scunthorpe can win the Cup at second-tier level for the first time in 24 attempts – the first of which was in 1972 – having not previously reached the final.

Scorpions won the first leg of the final at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Sunday by 54-36, after a pulsating night of speedway, with the riders from both teams giving it their all.

An 18-point lead is a good advantage, but there will be no complacency in the Scorpions’ camp.

Scunthorpe owner and promoter Rob Godfrey said: “Of course, it’s nice to have an 18-point advantage, and the performance from the lads on Sunday to gain that lead was out of the top draw.

“But we are not taking a thing for granted – we know we still have a job to do at Workington. I know and the riders know that it’s not over yet.

“If we perform at Workington as we know we can, we have got a realistic chance of winning the Knockout Cup at this level for the first time in our history, and it would be a fantastic way to finish our season.”

Ex-Scorpion Thomas Jorgensen will guest in place of Scunthorpe’s injured No 1 Josh Auty.

Expected teams for tonight:

Workington Comets: 1. Rene Bach, 2. Rider replacement for Ty Proctor, 3. Claus Vissing (guest), 4. Rasmus Jensen, 5. Nicolai Klindt, 6. Kyle Bickley, 7. Mason Campton.

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