Easter Monday Double Header (2nd Part) - Scunthorpe V Kings Lynn 25th April 5.30pm

[Scunny Stag]

From www.scunthorpespeedway.com

 

Scorpions and Saints in Bank Holiday double-bill

 

The Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions and the Jotun Paints Scunthorpe Saints both take to the Eddie Wright Raceway on Easter Monday (25th April, 5.30pm) as part of a Bank Holiday bonanza of speedway. First up are the Scorpions as they take on the league leading Somerset Rebels hoping to become the first club to lower their colours this season. Following straight on the Saints race their first home meeting of the season (against the King’s Lynn Young Stars) before the Saints’ Ashley Birks defends his Bronze Helmet against King’s Lynn’s Darren Mallett.

 

It all adds up to thirty-one heats of racing and Promoter Rob Godfrey believes it represents outstanding value for money. “We have fans come from all over the country to watch our bank holiday double-headers because the racing is so exceptional and Easter Monday’s meetings are really fascinating. First of all we need to see if the Scorpions can become the first team to defeat Somerset? The Rebels really have started the season on fire, much like Birmingham did last year, and just like the Brummies with Justin Sedgmen, they have a reserve in top form. Dakota North has done well but much will depend on him and James Holder because their reserves have to have at least eleven rides between them because of rider replacement for Kyle Hughes whilst we are finally a seven man team with Tero Aarnio returning from injury and Joe Haines (pictured) making his debut. If North isn’t quite at his best, like last year when he came with Newcastle, then we stand an excellent chance of winning”.

 

“Second up we will see the 2011 Saints make their home debut and there is a lot of expectations on them this year. The expectations are perhaps a little high because of the number of riders who are also riding in the Premier League but we definitely should be aiming for a playoff place and a home win on Monday is vital. With Gary Irving and Richie Worrall in Premier League action we’ve drafted in Greg Blair to bolster the ranks and he is a young man who has always impressed me. He has been unlucky with injuries when given some opportunities in the Premier League but now wants to get some meetings under his belt and we were happy to help. We’ve also got Paul Cooper back with the club and also looking to rebuild his career after a terrible grass track crash last summer. There are two new lads in the side, 16-year old Stefan Nielsen and 15-year old Oliver Greenwood, and they are very much ones for the future whilst we’ve got familiar faces in Steve Worrall, Adam Wrathall and Ashley Birks in the engine room of the side”.

 

“With King’s Lynn also having some great young lads in their side it is going to be a really fascinating battle and then to top it off we’ve got the Bronze Helmet race between Ashley Birks and Darren Mallett. It was great when Wayne Carter won it all those years ago and it will be equally exciting if Ash can retain it in front of our fans on Monday”.

 

It should be noted that Monday’s meeting does start thirty minutes later than usual on a Bank holiday Monday. It will commence at 5.30pm rather than 5pm to allow any supporters who have attended Scunthorpe United’s home match to make their way to the Eddie Wright Raceway in time for tapes up.

 

The line-ups for this week’s meetings are (English unless stated):

 

Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. David Howe 2. Joe Haines, 3. Viktor Bergström (Sweden), 4. Tero Aarnio (Finland) 5. Ben Wilson, 6. Thomas Jørgensen (Denmark), 7. Steve Worrall

 

Somerset Rebels: 1. Travis McGowan (Australia), 2. rider replacement for Kyle Hughes, 3. Christian Hefenbrock (Germany), 4. Sam Masters (Australia), 5. Cory Gathercole (Australia), 6. Dakota North (Australia), 7. James Holder (Australia)

 

Jotun Paints Scunthorpe Saints: 1. Paul Cooper, 2. Adam Wrathall, 3. Steve Worrall, 4. Greg Blair, 5. Ashley Birks, 6. Stefan Nielsen, 7. Oliver Greenwood

 

King’s Lynn Young Stars: 1. Darren Mallett, 2. Rider replacement for Adam Lowe, 3. Oliver Rayson, 4. Lewis Kerr, 5. James Cockle, 6. Tom Stokes, 7. Jake Knight

 

This week’s visitors – Somerset Rebels:

Cory Gathercole 2007 Western Australia and Victoria State Champion. 2007 New South Wales Under-21 State Champion. Member of Isle of Wight's Premier League Fours Winning Team in 2007. Named as a 'doubling-up' rider with Swindon for the 2011 Elite League Season.

 

Christian Hefenbrock Has ridden in 1 GP in 2007 and 2 Speedway World Cup Events in 2003 and 2005. 2001 and 2005 German Under-21 Champion. 2006 German Champion. Named as a 'doubling-up' rider with Poole for the 2011 Elite League Season.

James Holder The elder of the Holder brothers who made his British PL debut in 2008 for the Isle of Wight.

 

Travis McGowan

Has ridden in 1 Speedway World Cup Event in 2006. Victoria State Champion for 5 consecutive years (2001 to 2005). 1998, 2000 and 2003 Australian Under-21 Champion. Member of King's Lynn's Elite League KO Cup Winning Team in 2000. Member of Oxford's Elite League Craven Shield Winning Team in 2005. Member of Swindon's Elite Shield Winning Team in 2008. Named as a 'doubling-up' rider with Coventry for the 2011 Elite League Season.

 

Sam Masters

2009 New South Wales Under-21 Champion. New South Wales Under-16 Champion for 4 consecutive years (2004 to 2007). Named as a 'doubling-up' rider with King's Lynn for the 2011 Elite League Season.

 

Dakota North

2007 Australian Under-16 Champion. Member of Newcastle's Premier Trophy and Premier League Play-Off Winning Team in 2010. Scored a paid maximum both Home and Away against Ipswich this season (18 + 3 at Ipswich and 13 + 2 at Home). Named as a 'doubling-up' rider with Peterborough for the 2011 Elite League Season.

 

Somerset's Results at EWR:

 

5 May 2008 - PL Scunthorpe 51 Somerset 39

13 April 2009 - PT Scunthorpe 53 Somerset 40

5 June 2009 - PL Scunthorpe 47 Somerset 43

3 May 2010 - PL Scunthorpe 56 Somerset 40

2 October 2010 - Young Shield Scunthorpe 70 Somerset 20

 

2011 Results

 

25/03/2011 Ch H L Somerset 44 Elite League Select 46

01/04/2011 PL H W Somerset 46 Rye House 44

02/04/2011 PL A W Somerset 50 Newport 43

07/04/2011 PL A W Somerset 51 Ipswich 42

08/04/2011 PL H W Somerset 59 Ipswich 34

14/04/2011 PL A W Somerset 47 Sheffield 43

 

King’s Lynn Young Stars:

 

James Cockle Member of Scunthorpe's 2007 Conference League Championship Winning Team. Winner of Conference League Pairs Championship for Boston in 2008 with Simon Lambert. Named as a 'doubling-up' rider with Plymouth for the 2011 Premier League Season.

 

Lewis Kerr Newcomer to the sport, having only started riding during the winter months of 2009. Rode in amateur meetings and second-halves at King's Lynn, Peterborough and Scunthorpe.

 

Jake Knight Made National League debut in 2009 for King's Lynn. Son of former Great Britain international Richard Knight.

 

Darren Mallett Member of Boston's Conference Trophy Winning Team in 2003. Has Premier League experience riding for King's Lynn's senior team.

 

Oliver Rayson Made Conference League debut in 2008 and signed as a full-time King's Lynn asset in March 2011.

 

Tom Stokes Rode for Southern Track Riders 'A' against Scunthorpe Stags 'A' in 2010. Made National League debut in 2010 for Rye House, having ridden previously for them as a guest.

 

King's Lynn's Results at EWR:

 

24 July 2009 - NL KOC Scunthorpe 43 King's Lynn 47

21 August 2009 - NL Scunthorpe 52 King's Lynn 43

5 April 2010 - NL Scunthorpe 51 King's Lynn 41

 

2011 Results

 

Started their 2011 National League season last Wednesday, winning a close contest 47 - 45 at home against the Hackney Hawks.

 

Scorers

James Cockle 10 pts from 5 rides

Lewis Kerr 3 + 1 pts from 4 rides

Jake Knight 17 + 1 pts from 7 rides

Adam Lowe 0 pts from 1 ride

Darren Mallett 11 pts from 5 rides

Oliver Rayson 1 pt from 4 rides

Tom Stokes 5 + 2 pts from 4 rides

[speedwayfan54]

Come on the Stars!

[whippy]

We are off to Scunny but there seems to be little interest in this meeting.......

[Halifaxtiger]

We are off to Scunny but there seems to be little interest in this meeting.......

 

Probably because its on the PL thread too

 

I'll be going over.

[montie]

Probably because its on the PL thread too

 

I'll be going over.

 

Has the making of a good fixture this one,both teams look fairly even ,looking forward to it

[Fozzie4388]

Will be a cracker this one.

 

Watch out for Mini Crump

[NeilWatson]

COURTESY OF SPEEDWAY UPDATES

 

Scunthorpe Saints : 48

1. Paul Cooper 1',2,0,0 = 3+1

2. Adam Wrathall 2,1',2,1 = 6+1

3. Steve Worrall 3,1',3,3,3 = 13+1

4. Greg Blair 2',2,2',3 = 9+2

5. Ashley Birks 3,3,3,1,1 = 11

6. Stefan Nielsen Fx,0,1,2',1 = 4+1

7. Oliver Greenwood 1,1,0 = 2

 

Kings Lynn Young Stars : 42

1. Darren Mallett 3,3,2,3,2 = 13

2. Adam Lowe R/R (OR-0) (LK-0) (JC-1) (JK-0) = 1

3. Oliver Rayson 0,1,1',2',1 = 5+2

4. Lewis Kerr 0,2,3,0 = 5

5. James Cockle X,X,1,1,2',Fx = 4+1

6. Tom Stokes 2',0,0,0 = 2+1

7. Jake Knight 3,2,3,3,0,2 = 13

 

Heat Results

 

Bronze Helmet Race: Mallett, Birks 57.78

Comments: Mallett wins by a mile.

 

Heat 01: Mallett, Wrathall, Cooper, Rayson 3-3 (3-3) 57.59

Line Up: Cooper, Wrathall, Mallett, Lowe Rayson

Comments: Saints off gates 1 & 3.

Rayson takes R/R for Kings Lynn.

Mallett flying.

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Heat 02: Knight, Stokes, Greenwood, Nielsen (Fx) 1-5 (4-8) 58.41

Line Up: Nielsen, Greenwood, Stokes, Knight

Comments: Stopped. Both scorpions down! Nielsen excluded.

Re-run no competition.

Sponsored by Steve Dixon www.stevedixonphotography.co.uk

 

Heat 03: Worrall, Blair, Rayson, Kerr 5-1 (9-9) 58.19

Line Up: Worrall, Blair, Rayson, Kerr

Comments: Worrall down bend 3 lap 2 & excluded.

Change of desicion it seems. All 4 back as it seems a bit of plastic on the track caused the crash.

Re-run Rayson all over Blair for all 4 laps.

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Heat 04: Birks, Knight, Greenwood 4-2 (13-11) 59.0

Line Up: Birks, Greenwood, Cockle, Knight

Comments: Cockle excluded for exceeding 2 minutes, will go off 15m.

Cockle packs in before hitting start line, all riders pass him onto lap 2 then he decides to race?

Cockle black flagged.

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Heat 05: Mallett, Blair, Worrall, Kerr 3-3 (16-14) 58.19

Line Up: Worrall, Blair, Mallett, Lowe Kerr

Comments: Kerr takes R/R for Kings Lynn.

Great race for top spot. Mallett hit the front but chased hard by Blair and Worrall.

Sponsored by Splod

 

Heat 06: Knight, Cooper, Wrathall, Stokes 3-3 (19-17) 58.89

Line Up: Cooper, Wrathall, Cockle Knight, Stokes

Comments: Cockle excluded for exceeding 2 minutes again, Knight replaces.

Knight hits the front chased hard by Cooper and they collide lap 2 but both stay up and Cooper loses ground.

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Heat 07: Birks, Kerr, Rayson, Nielsen 3-3 (22-20) 58.62

Line Up: Birks, Nielsen, Rayson, Kerr

Comments: Nielsen too wide bend 2 lap 1 then fell, remounted lap 2 bend 4. Otherwise from the gate.

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Heat 08: Knight, Wrathall, Cockle, Greenwood 2-4 (24-24) 58.50

Line Up: Wrathall, Greenwood, Lowe Cockle, Knight

Comments: Cockle takes R/R for Kings Lynn.

Greenwood fell remounted bend 1 lap 1. Cockle put Wrathall under pressure but Wrathall held off well.

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Heat 09: Worrall, Blair, Cockle, Stokes 5-1 (29-25) 57.91

Line Up: Worrall, Blair, Cockle, Stokes

Comments: Cockle hit front but Worrall passed backstraight lap 1 then Blair passed outside bend 4 lap 2.

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Heat 10: Kerr, Rayson, Wrathall, Cooper 1-5 (30-30) 58.84

Line Up: Cooper, Wrathall, Rayson, Kerr

Comments: Cooper electric out the gate but too out of shape bend 2 and lost momentum. Wrathall lost out on second home straight last lap.

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Heat 11: Birks, Mallett, Nielsen, Knight 4-2 (34-32) 58.69

Line Up: Birks, Nielsen, Mallett, Lowe Knight

Comments: Knight takes R/R for Kings Lynn.

So close between Birks & Mallett. Birks led all race and just won on line.

Sponsored by

 

Heat 12: Worrall, Nielsen, Rayson, Stokes 5-1 (39-33) 58.93

Line Up: Worrall, Greenwood Nielsen, Rayson, Stokes

Comments: Nielsen replaces Greenwood for Scunthorpe.

Stopped. Unsatisfactory start, Nielsen fell but lights already on. All 4 back.

Re-run Worrall & Nielsen swapped places occasionally but held off the stars duo well.

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Heat 13: Mallett, Cockle, Birks, Cooper 1-5 (40-38) 59.03

Line Up: Cooper, Birks, Mallett, Cockle

Comments: From the gate but Birks close to passing Cockle on couple of occasions.

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Heat 14: Blair, Knight, Nielsen, Kerr 4-2 (44-40) 58.94

Line Up: Blair, Nielsen, Kerr, Knight

Comments: Blair from last to second lap 2 then pushed hard for first and got it on line! *expletive* outstanding racing from him!!!!!!!

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Heat 15: Worrall, Mallett, Birks, Cockle (Fx) 4-2 (48-42) 58.28

Line-up: Birks, Worrall, Mallett, Cockle

Comments: Scunny on gates 2 & 4.

Stopped. Cockle fell on his own accord first bend and is rightfully excluded.

Re-run Worrall passed Mallett bend 4 lap 1 and was unstoppable.

Sponsored by www.unofficialscorpion.co.uk - The History of Scunthorpe Speedway

 

 

Read more: http://speedwayupdates.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=scunthorpe&action=display&thread=8000#ixzz1KZJpDZZH

[NeilWatson]

Well done Jake, (joint) top scorer for the third consecutive meeting!

 

 

[speedwayfan54]

Unlucky stars, you'll have em at home!

[montie]

Great meeting tonight between to two sides well matched,wasnt a rider on show who didnt give it a go but Greg Blair,take a bow,pure entertainment

[squall]

Fantastic meeting.

 

Greg Blair deserves a medal!

[whippy]

thoroughly enjoyable meeting. great to see youngsters getting stuck in. Well done again Jake and congrats to Darren winning the match race and a sound performance.

[gypilgrim]

As often seems to happen on Bank Holiday Monday double headers the National League fixture produces the best racing. Good effort from all the lads. For the Saints Greg Blair was Mr Entertainment. One of the few riders (PL or NL) who got the outside line to work. Glad to see Stefan Nielsen coming on strong later in the match.

Edited April 26, 2011 by Exiled Cuda

[June]

Best of the 2 meetings once again!....These youngsters never know when to give up, they certainly give it their all. Such a shame most of the crowd always leave after the Scorpions match. They don't know what they miss. Rider of this match for me was Greg Blair. What a race heat 14 was. He did a Richie Dennis.....rode the boards throughout the race ( superb to watch ) and got to first on the line. brilliant! Compare the times with the first meeting...all similiar 57s and 58s....Some very good british youngsters on show tonight. Well done to both teams! congratulations to the Saints on their win !!!! Pity Gary and Richie missed this one, but hey they both did great jobs riding for their PL teams Workington and Newcastle. Richie stole the show for Newcastle. great meeting, watched the recording when I got home from this match.

[Mimmo]

I can only echo the comments made by Montie, Squall and Exciled Cuda. A fantastic meeting, far superior to the earlier PL match.

 

Had James Cockle not suffered his varying problems, we may well have won, but hey, I'm taking nothing away from Scunny, particularly Greg Blair!! Along with Jake Knight, they stole the show for me.

[montie]

Jake Knight did look really good yesterday,great style too,Lewi Kerr looked good to for the Stars after his first ride

 

Steve Worrall looked by far the best rider on show and his constant race times in the 57`s was going to make him hard to beat

 

What i like about the NL is the team spirt,on both teams,away from the presure of the PL they all seem to have a great laugh and ride with smiles,

 

Huge well done to both sets of riders and managers

[PhilK]

Sounds another excellent NL meeting yesterday

 

Greg Blair has always impressed me so it is good to see him back and by reports on here performing really well!

 

Another decent score by Jake Knight, he certainly seems very fast when he gets out in front!

 

Look forward to getting up to Scunthorpe when Mildenhall ride there in the summer .

[Halifaxtiger]

Sounds another excellent NL meeting yesterday

 

 

Terrific meeting, Philip

 

Doubt if I will see another pass as good as Blair's in heat 14 all season in any league.

 

Darren Mallett going extremely well - its a surprise that this very likeable and capable young man hasn't been picked up by a PL side.

 

Quick mention (and I am biased) for Rayson: still conceding yards at the gate but pulled off a terrific pass in heat 10

 

The match was a credit to the NL and yet another two finger response to all those big league bigots out there.

[Halifaxtiger]

 

What i like about the NL is the team spirt,on both teams,away from the presure of the PL they all seem to have a great laugh and ride with smiles,

 

Huge well done to both sets of riders and managers

 

I was in the pits yesterday and believe me it is as passionate and serious as a World Team Cup Final.

 

The enthusiasm, the determination to do well and the disappointment when things go wrong are palpable.

 

Completely agree with your last remark

[montie]

Terrific meeting, Philip

 

Doubt if I will see another pass as good as Blair's in heat 14 all season in any league.

 

Was interesting to see Blair use the dirt line to great effect,in the PL meeting riders just couldnt turn the bike very well in the dirt yet in the NL meeting it worked,made me think if it was the old silencers which were being used,and how refreshing it was to hear them and see them "work"

 

Special mention to for the master class in wheelies from Birks and Worrall!!!!!