Scunthorpe V Redcar (pl) - Friday, September 14th (7.30pm)

[lucifer sam]

SCORPIONS AIM FOR THREE POINTS FROM BEARS CLASH

 

THE EDDIE WRIGHT RACEWAY is the venue for an important Premier League clash on Friday (7.30pm), as the Scunthorpe Scorpions seek to score three league points against the Redcar Bears, and continue their push for a top two finish in the regular season table, prior to the commencement of the play-offs.

 

But they must do it without Danish ace Thomas Jørgensen, who is recovering from a dislocated shoulder, following a heavy fall during last week’s Scunthorpe v Rye House clash.

 

The Scorpions are already mathematically certain of a place in the top six and a slot in the play-offs. Therefore there will be two additional meetings at the Eddie Wright Raceway in either late September or early October, as the Scorpions contest one of the two mini-groups of three teams, which will determine the finalists of the play-offs.

 

But finishing first or second in the regular table brings the reward of avoiding the other team at the top and also having some say in choosing your mini-group opponents, with the teams finishing first and second picking, in turn, from the third to sixth placed teams.

 

The situation is ever evolving, but still looks good for the Scorpions. If they were to win their final two home league matches – against Redcar on Friday and Glasgow a week on Friday - by 7 points or more, to claim the maximum of three Premier League points from each meeting, the Scorpions would finish on 50 points.

 

That would put them out of reach of everyone except Newcastle (maximum of 55 points), Leicester (maximum 53 points) and Workington (maximum 51 points). Current league leaders Somerset can only reach 48 points. Looking at race points difference should any of the teams finish level, it currently stands at Newcastle (+148), Somerset (+115), Workington (+88), Scunthorpe (+74) and Leicester (+12).

 

There is a good chance of Newcastle reaching 50 points, since one of their remaining away meetings is at bottom club Plymouth.

 

However, with their inferior race points, Leicester would need to reach 51 points if the Scorpions finished in 50. In other words, they would have to win all three of their remaining away meetings, including one by more than 7 points. The Lions have enjoyed an excellent season, but that is a very, very tough ask.

 

Workington’s key match is away at Somerset on Friday. They need a win, preferably by more than 7 points, to keep alive their chances of a top two place. If Somerset were to take all three points from this meeting, it would leave the Rebels on a final tally of 48 points, and the most Workington could score would be 47. In that case, a final total of 49 points would probably gain second place in the table for the Scorpions, enabling them to drop a point against either Redcar or Glasgow.

 

Team manager Richard Hollingsworth keeps spreadsheets containing all this information, but refuses to get lost in all the permutations.

 

He said: “We will just take these final two meetings one at a time, and not get distracted by results elsewhere.

 

“The Redcar Bears are not a team to be under-estimated. They stayed with us during most of the League Cup match here earlier in the season. They have a fine spearhead in Ulrich Ostergaard and Aaron Summers, and also a track specialist in Scunthorpe legend Wilko (Carl Wilkinson).

 

“It is a blow to be without Thomas, who is back in Denmark receiving specialist treatment. Thomas is currently scoring far above his average and difficult to replace. We would definitely like Thomas back in the team in time for the play-offs.

 

“With both David (Howe) and Thomas out, we have a choice how to cover them. As rider replacement scored a paid maximum for David last week, but would be very limited for Thomas, we have decided to use R/R for David and bring in Sheffield’s Hugh Skidmore as a guest for Thomas.

 

“We’ve seen some excellent all-around team performances for the Scorpions in recent weeks, and that’s what we need again on Friday. Riders such as Ashley Birks, Michael Palm Toft and Gary Irving seem to be peaking at the perfect time – when our riders fifth, sixth and seventh in our averages are scoring heavily around the Eddie Wright Raceway, it makes us very hard to beat around here.

 

“Our spearhead of Josh Auty and Nick Morris are also on form at the moment. Another complete team performance from the Scorpions would be very welcome”, Hollingsworth concluded.

 

Friday’s action is concluded by a six-heat Midland Development League match between the Scunthorpe Stags and the Stoke Spitfires. The Stags are represented by Danny Phillips, Tommy Fenwick, Adam Kirby and David Holt.

 

Teams for Friday (English unless stated):

 

Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Josh Auty, 2. David Howe R/R, 3. Hugh Skidmore (Australia), 4. Ashley Birks, 5. Nick Morris (Australia), 6. Michael Palm Toft (Denmark), 7. Gary Irving.

 

Redcar Bears: 1. Ulrich Ostergaard (Denmark), 2. Carl Wilkinson, 3. Kevin Doolan (Australia), 4. Aaron Summers (Australia), 5. Matej Kus (Czech Republic), 6. Max Dilger (Germany), 7. Jade Mudgway (New Zealand).

 

PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE

(As at Tuesday, September 11th, 2012)

 

M 3W 2W D L 4W 3W D 1L L F A Pts

1 Somerset 23 8 3 0 0 1 2 1 3 5 1111 996 45

2 Newcastle 21 10 1 0 0 1 0 1 6 2 1037 889 44

3 Scunthorpe 22 8 2 0 0 2 1 1 3 5 1042 968 44

4 Leicester 21 7 5 0 0 0 3 0 1 5 970 958 41

5 Workington 20 7 2 0 0 1 1 2 2 5 957 869 38

6 Ipswich 22 6 2 0 3 1 1 0 4 5 1002 982 33

7 Edinburgh 19 7 1 0 1 1 1 0 2 6 890 846 32

8 Glasgow 21 8 0 3 1 0 1 0 0 8 917 977 30

9 Redcar 22 4 2 2 3 1 1 0 2 7 981 1017 27

10 Sheffield 24 6 2 0 4 0 1 0 1 10 1052 1161 26

11 Berwick 21 5 2 0 4 1 0 0 2 7 916 1010 25

12 Rye House 22 5 2 0 4 0 1 1 0 9 971 1041 24

13 Plymouth 22 5 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 12 951 1083 20

 

 

 

Scorpions Info

 

Ashley Birks has now scored exactly 300 Premier League Points for the club to date.

Michael Palm Toft has now scored exactly 400 Points for the club.

 

Workington Comets at EWR

 

Ave Ave Best

Name Lge M R Pts BP (no BP) (w BP) Performance

Max Dilger PL 2 7 6 2 3.43 4.57 3 + 1 from 4 rides (2010/2012)

Kevin Doolan PL 7 35 57 2 6.51 6.74 14 from 5 rides (2008)

Matej Kus PL 2 10 13 0 5.20 5.20 8 from 5 rides (2012)

Jade Mudgway PL 3 13 6 0 1.85 1.85 4 from 4 rides (2012)

Ulrich Ostergaard PL 3 12 25 0 8.33 8.33 18 from 6 rides (inc 6 pts T/R (2008))

Aaron Summers PL 9 41 60 3 5.85 6.15 10 + 1 from 6 rides (inc 4 pts T/R 2010))

Carl Wilkinson PL 82 366 672 63 7.34 8.03 16 + 1 from 6 rides (PL (2010))

 

Other Notes

 

Max Dilger

2008 German Under-21 Champion

Made his Premier League debut in 2009 for Edinburgh.

 

Kevin Doolan

Member of King's Lynn's Premier League KO Cup and Young Shield Winning Teams in 2005.

Member of King's Lynn's Premier League Championship, KO Cup and Premier Trophy Winning Teams in 2006.

Member of Workington's Premier League Four-Team Championship Winning Team in 2009.

Member of Ipswich's Premier League Four-Team Championship Winning Team in 2011.

 

Matej Kus

Has ridden in 4 GPs and 4 Speedway World Cup Events.

2010 Czech Republic Champion.

Twice Czech Republic Under-21 Champion (2008 and 2009).

2008 Czech Republic Under-19 Champion.

 

Jade Mudgway

Began his British career with Redcar's Conference League team in 2008.

Rode in the Premier League with Berwick for the last two seasons and began this season at Glasgow.

 

Ulrich Ostergaard

Member of Peterborough's Elite League Championship Winning Team in 2006.

Riding as a 'doubling-up' rider with King's Lynn for the 2012 Elite League Season.

 

Aaron Summers

Member of Edinburgh's Premier League Championship and Premier Trophy Winning Teams in 2008.

Member of Edinburgh's Premier League Play-Off Winning Teams in 2008 and 2009.

Member of Coventry's Elite League Winning Team in 2010.

Member of Birmingham's Premier League Four-Team Championship Winning Team in 2010.

Named as a 'doubling-up' rider with Coventry for the 2012 Elite League Season.

 

Carl Wilkinson

Former Scorpion who has made two guest appearances for the club this season.

Member of Boston's Conference League KO Cup Winning Team in 2000.

 

Redcar Bears' 2012 Results

 

15 March 2012 CH H W Redcar 48 Newcastle 36

18 March 2012 CH A L Redcar 43 Newcastle 50

22 March 2012 LC H W Redcar 49 Edinburgh 41

29 March 2012 LC H D Redcar 45 Scunthorpe 45

31 March 2012 LC A L Redcar 35 Workington 60

05 April 2012 LC A L Redcar 40 Sheffield 49

06 April 2012 LC H D Redcar 45 Sheffield 45

13 April 2012 LC A W Redcar 48 Edinburgh 42

27 April 2012 LC A L Redcar 36 Scunthorpe 54

03 May 2012 LC H L Redcar 43 Workington 47

05 May 2012 LC A L Redcar 43 Leicester 50

12 May 2012 PL A L Redcar 28 Berwick 65

17 May 2012 PL A L Redcar 43 Sheffield 47

18 May 2012 PL H W Redcar 48 Sheffield 42

20 May 2012 PL A L Redcar 41 Glasgow 49

24 May 2012 KOC H W Redcar 49 Newcastle 41

28 May 2012 KOC A L Redcar 32 Newcastle 58 (On agg: L:- 81 - 99)

01 June 2012 PL A W Redcar 48 Plymouth 42

07 June 2012 PL H D Redcar 45 Rye House 45

08 June 2012 PL A L Redcar 44 Ipswich 46

14 June 2012 PL H W Redcar 54 Edinburgh 41

21 June 2012 LC H L Redcar 37 Newcastle 58

25 June 2012 LC A L Redcar 35 Newcastle 57

28 June 2012 PL H W Redcar 59 Plymouth 36

05 July 2012 PL H L Redcar 43 Ipswich 47

14 July 2012 PL A L Redcar 39 Workington 53

19 July 2012 PL H L Redcar 43 Somerset 47

26 July 2012 PL H D Redcar 46 Scunthorpe 46

02 August 2012 PL H L Redcar 44 Workington 49

03 August 2012 PL A L Redcar 36 Somerset 57

09 August 2012 PL H W Redcar 48 Newcastle 42

12 August 2012 PL A L Redcar 39 Newcastle 54

30 August 2012 PL H W Redcar 49 Glasgow 40

31 August 2012 PL A L Redcar 29 Edinburgh 52

06 September 2012 PL H W Redcar 63 Berwick 26

08 September 2012 PL A W Redcar 49 Rye House 41

 

Redcar Bears' Results at EWR

 

30 March 2008 PT D Scunthorpe 45 Redcar 45

06 June 2008 PL L Scunthorpe 52 Redcar 41

19 June 2009 PL L Scunthorpe 49 Redcar 44

31 July 2009 KOC L Scunthorpe 50 Redcar 39

02 October 2009 YS L Scunthorpe 56 Redcar 34

05 April 2010 PT L Scunthorpe 50 Redcar 42

02 May 2010 PL L Scunthorpe 57 Redcar 34

09 September 2011 PL L Scunthorpe 52 Redcar 41

07 October 2011 PL Ph 2 L Scunthorpe 65 Redcar 25

27 April 2012 LC L Scunthorpe 54 Redcar 36

 

(stats courtesy of John Eyre)

Edited September 11, 2012 by lucifer sam

[Fozzie4388]

I actually think this one will be a tight meeting. Its certainly one were all the Scorpions will have to be on top form. Redcar's top 5 are very strong but i think Scunny will have the edge at reserve

[scunny1]

Think this one will be a nail biter, Redcar on their day are a good side and Scorpions without Jorgy Worgy are weaker than normal-hope Skiddy can do the business?

[duffyscouse]

Redcar are in good form - this wont be an easy one, but I predict an 8 point Home win

[crazysue]

Is there anyone going to this meeting who would be able to text updates to the updates site? If so, could you please either leave a message here or send me an email or pm (if sending an email or pm, please include your mobile number).

 

Thanks

[Yorkscorp]

Soon be time to head off to Scunny, a difficult meeting methinks, especially without Thomas. Hopefully another win in the bag though, but I suspect there might be some nai lbiting on the way.

[tubby]

Think this could go either way without thomas riding but hope scunny take all the points.

[crazysue]

Still need a texter. ..anyone?

[lucifer sam]

Another comfortable 3 points for Scunny... top two (maybe even top of the table) here we come

 

All the best

Rob

[EC Rides Again]

Decent meeting with odd flashes of brilliance (MPT & Morris getting the better of Wilko comes to mind).

 

Skiddy was a solid guest and all the other Scorpions made good contributions.

 

For the Bears Ostergaard started like a train but missed the start on his T/R and looked ordinary after that. Summers was awful (machinery problems ?), Doolan not a factor, Wilko tried hard (as usual) and the reserves may as well not bothered......star of the show was Kus who was super fast (even with the occasional roller!). Without Matej it would have been a cricket score.

 

So the top spot in the League looks like it will be decided next Friday night. Can't quite bring myself to say "come on the Devils" though !

 

Rob said that Scunny will run against Glasgow come hell or highwater.

Edited September 15, 2012 by EC Rides Again

[June]

This was a much better meeting than the score suggests. After 5 heats only 4 pts difference ,but then the cream started to come to the top, our lads seemed to go up a notch. It was a solid team effort but I have to mention heat 11- MPT and Nick , amazing race, heart in mouth stuff, absolutely brilliant! got to be one of the best races this year. Well done to all the team. Now only one more meeting....Good luck SCORPIONS!

[Albert]

Expected a tough night, I looked at Redcars team and thought this could go either way. However, I needn't of worried because as events unfolded this proved to be a fairly comfortable night for the Scorpions. Bit processional early doors but the racing certainly improved as the night wore on. No weak links in the Scunny side, good team effort...difficult to single one out as a 'rider of the meeting', perhaps MPT for yet again providing some heart stopping manouvers. For Redcar, Kus was awesome, great value..Summers appauling (machinery, injury?), so puzzled by his poor show. Reserves outclassed and not alot to say about the rest other than expected better.

 

Another 3 points for the Scorps, onwards n upwards :-)

[Sol Viking]

As already mentioned Heat 11 was brilliant. To see Tofty glide round the outside of Wilko off the 4th bend was worth the entrance money alone. It made me shout out whooooo hooooo as they went past, lol. Someone said in an earlier post that reserve could be the difference. Well Scorpions 16-2 Redcar tells you the answer to that. Still can't believe how poor Summers was, couple of Bears fans behind we're slateing him to hell. Onwards and upwards Scorps!!!

[duffyscouse]

Scunthorpe were simply too powerful top to bottom - Kus was sensational - but MPT was simply breathtaking - his swoop around the fence was unbelievable - Auty solid as ever and a born winner , Morris didnt win a race but was involved in some fab racing - how he passed inside to out without touching back wheels is pure class. Ash Birks was as solid as ever, he's really made the breakthru this year bona fide top five now. Skidders didnt disappoint and Irving scored superbly from 7

 

Game on for the top spot !