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Scunthorpe V Somerset (play-off Final, 2nd Leg), ***now Re-staged Monday, October 29th (7.30pm)***


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SCUNTHORPE ARE 15 RACES AWAY FROM MAJOR HONOUR FOR TOWN

 

HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions can clinch the Premier League title by defeating the Somerset Rebels by six points or more in the second leg of the Grand Final of the play-offs at the Eddie Wright Raceway tomorrow (Sunday, 4pm).

 

If the Scorpions can win the league tomorrow, it will be one of the biggest-ever sporting triumphs for the town of Scunthorpe. Arguably it would rank alongside the achievement of football club Scunthorpe United winning the League One Championship in 2006-2007 and the Division Three North Championship in 1957-1958.

 

The Scorpions trail 44-49 after the first leg at Somerset on Friday night. But for three broken chains plus other mechanical mishaps, the Scorpions could have taken a lead into their home leg.

 

Promoter Rob Godfrey said: “The whole tie in the balance. We would have settled for a five-point deficit from Somerset before the meeting there, but actually we probably deserved more than that. We had some bad luck, but that’s speedway.

 

“Nothing is settled yet. Some people would now mark us as favourites, but personally I’m taking nothing for granted – a lot can happen within 15 speedway races. There will be no complacency from us; we still have a job to do.

 

“We had a great atmosphere at the Eddie Wright Raceway for our play-off semi-final against Workington, and the riders really responded to the crowd.

 

“It was the same at the first leg of the final at Somerset. A good number of Scunthorpe supporters made the long trip down, and the noise they made matched the home crowd, and inspired our lads. That’s why we went onto the Somerset centre green after the meeting and went over to thank our supporters on the third bend.

 

“Tomorrow (Sunday) is the biggest ever meeting at the Eddie Wright Raceway. We’ve never, ever been involved in anything like this before. I hope that we can get as many people as possible along from the town and the rest of North Lincolnshire, because this is very special. We want a big crowd that makes a massive noise, to roar the lads onto what we hope is the Premier League Championship.”

 

The riders representing the Scunthorpe Scorpions tomorrow are as follows:

 

JOSH AUTY

A double British Under-15 Champion, he made his debut for Scunthorpe in 2005, not long after his 15th birthday. Helped the club to numerous honours at Conference League level in 2006 and 2007. Returned “home” to Scunthorpe in 2012, and has taken over from the injured David Howe as the club’s No 1.

 

SAM MASTERS

The 2011 Premier League Riders’ Champion, but the young Australian was surprisingly released by the Somerset Rebels in late August. Guested for an injury-hit Scunthorpe in play-off matches at Edinburgh and Workington in the first week of October and top scored on both occasions. Has accepted another guest booking for the Scorpions – and may have a point to prove to the Rebels.

 

ASHLEY BIRKS (CAPTAIN)

A product of the excellent youth policy at Scunthorpe, having progressed via the club’s amateur meetings and National League side, the Scunthorpe Saints. Won the play-offs with the Saints in 2011, and 12 months later, is hoping to repeat this feat with the senior side. The 2012 National League Riders’ Champion.

 

NICK MORRIS

A mid-season signing, who also rides for Elite League Swindon. The 18-year-old is incredibly looking for a FOURTH league title – having previously won with Buxton (2010, National League), Glasgow (2011, Premier League) and Swindon (2012, Elite League).

 

MICHAEL PALM TOFT

The stuff of fairytales from the Dane. Nearly dropped at the time of the introduction of Morris, but has transformed his form. Scored a paid 21 seven-ride maximum in the play-off semi-final match against Workington – the first ever seven-ride maximum to be scored by a Scorpion at Premier League level,

 

GARY IRVING

The second product of the Scunthorpe Saints National League team – and part of the Saints’ title-winning side of 2011. Released by Premier League rivals Workington Comets in mid-season, but then signed up very quickly by his parent club Scunthorpe. At 23 years old, he is the ‘old man’ of the six riders competing for the Scorpions tomorrow.

 

Scorpions’ team manager Richard Hollingsworth said: “All our riders have done a marvellous job for us this season. That doesn’t only include those riding for the Scorpions in the final, but also all those others from earlier in the season, including, of course, the two members of our 1-7 who are currently injured, Thomas Jorgensen and David Howe.

 

“We just ask that our riders go out and give their best for the club one more time tomorrow, and we’ll see where that takes us.”

 

Teams for tomorrow (English unless stated):

 

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

 

Somerset Rebels: 1. Craig Cook (guest), 2. Alex Davies (Australia), 3. Jesper B Monberg (Denmark), 4. James Wright, 5. Claus Vissing (Denmark), 6. Kyle Newman, 7. Lewis Kerr (guest).

 

 

 

Scorpions Info

 

Following his maximum against Workington, Josh Auty has now scored the most maximums for the club (22 to date).

 

Somerset Rebels at EWR

 

Ave Ave Best

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

Craig Cook PL 8 34 51 1 6.00 6.12 16 from 6 rides (2011)

Alex Davies PL 4 18 24 6 5.33 6.67 11 + 1 from 7 rides (2011)

Lewis Kerr DEBUT PL MEETING @ EWR

Jesper B Monberg PL 1 4 7 0 7.00 7.00 7 from 4 rides (2012)

Kyle Newman PL 10 40 42 3 4.20 4.50 14 from 5 rides (2009)

Claus Vissing PL 2 5 6 0 4.80 4.80 6 from 4 rides (2012)

James Wright PL 4 20 37 4 7.40 8.20 12 + 1 from 5 rides (2008)

 

Other Notes

 

Craig Cook

2012 Premier League Riders Champion.

2009 National League Riders Champion.

Member of Workington's Young Shield Winning Teams in 2009 and 2010.

Member of Buxton's National League Championship, KO Cup and National Trophy Winning Teams in 2010.

Rode as a Guest rider for Somerset in their League Cup Winning Team for the injured Jason Doyle.

 

Alex Davies

Member of Somerset's League Cup Winning Team in 2012.

 

Lewis Kerr

Has rode as a Guest rider for the Scunthorpe Saints on several occasions this season.

Rode as a Guest rider for Somerset in their League Cup Winning Team for the injured Tom Perry.

 

Jesper B Monberg

1997 World Under-21 Champion.

Member of Denmark's World Team Cup Winning Team in 1997.

2005 European Champion.

Has ridden in 20 Speedway Grand Prix Events.

Member of Somerset's League Cup Winning Team in 2012.

Member of Wolverhampton's Elite League Championship Winning Team in 2002.

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

 

Kyle Newman

Winner of Queensland State Under-21 Championships in 2011.

Member of Somerset's League Cup Winning Team in 2012.

Member of Weymouth's Conference League Championship Winning Team in 2008.

Member of Bournemouth's National League Championship and KO Cup Winning Teams in 2009.

Member of Newcastle's Premier Shield Winning Team in 2011.

 

Claus Vissing

Member of Somerset's League Cup Winning Team in 2012.

Made his British League debut in 2007 at Premier League level with Stoke.

Has plenty of Elite League experience and was named as a doubling-up rider for Belle Vue this season.

 

James Wright

2004 CL Riders' Champion

2007 PL Riders' Champion

Member of Somerset's League Cup Winning Team in 2012.

Member of Swindon's Elite League Shield Winning Team in 2008.

Member of Workington's Premier League Fours Winning Team in 2006.

Member of Buxton's Conference League KO Cup Winning Team in 2002.

 

Somerset Rebels

 

League Cup Winners in 2012.

Premier League KO Cup Winners in 2008.

Premier League Four-Team Trophy Winners in 2005.

 

Somerset Rebels in 2012

 

Qualified for Premier League Championship Play-Offs by finishing in 3rd position in the league table.

Scored a total of 48 points during the league season.

Won their Premier League Championship Play-Off Group, scoring a total of 8 points.

Won the 2012 League Cup against Ipswich (95-90 on aggregate).

 

Last 6 Results (prior to play-off final)

 

25 October 2012 LC A L Somerset 42 Ipswich 51 (On agg: W 95 - 90)

19 October 2012 LC H W Somerset 53 Ipswich 39

13 October 2012 PLPO A L Somerset 42 Leicester 48

12 October 2012 PLPO H W Somerset 54 Leicester 39

30 September 2012 LC SF A L Somerset 43 Newcastle 46

30 September 2012 PLPO A L Somerset 44 Newcastle 48

 

Somerset Rebels' Results at EWR

 

05 May 2008 PL L Scunthorpe 51 Somerset 39

13 April 2009 PT L Scunthorpe 53 Somerset 40

05 June 2009 PL L Scunthorpe 47 Somerset 43

03 May 2010 PL L Scunthorpe 56 Somerset 40

02 October 2010 YS L Scunthorpe 70 Somerset 20

25 April 2011 PL L Scunthorpe 49 Somerset 41

04 September 2011 PL Ph 2 L Scunthorpe 49 Somerset 41

27 August 2012 PL L Scunthorpe 50 Somerset 40

 

(stats courtesy of John Eyre)

Edited by lucifer sam
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ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR SCORPIONS FOR MASSIVE MEETING!

 

PLAY-OFF GRAND FINAL AT THE EDDIE WRIGHT RACEWAY THIS AFTERNOON!

 

A MUCH IMPROVED weather forecast means all systems are go for this afternoon’s (Sunday, 4pm) concluding leg of the final of the Premier League play-offs – the biggest-ever meeting held at the Eddie Wright Raceway in Normanby Road.

 

The Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions are looking to overturn a five-point deficit against the Somerset Rebels – after a narrow 44-49 defeat at Somerset in the first leg on Friday. The aggregate winners will be crowned Premier League Champions this afternoon.

 

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “The atmosphere for the Workington match here three weeks ago was fantastic, but this afternoon, we want it taken to a whole new level.

 

“There has never been a speedway meeting in Scunthorpe as important as this one. We urge people to come along this afternoon and be involved in what we hope will be a momentous sporting occasion for Scunthorpe. It’s one not to be missed.

 

“Our lads really want to win this. We’re taking nothing for granted, because Somerset are a good side themselves, but with the crowd behind us, we can do it.”

 

The postcode for the Eddie Wright Raceway stadium for first time visitors is DN15 8QZ.

 

There is a late change to the Somerset Rebels side. Guest Craig Cook aggravated an injury at Berwick last night, and he is replaced by Richard Hall.

 

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

 

Somerset Rebels: 1. Richard Hall (guest), 2. Alex Davies, 3. Jesper B Monberg, 4. James Wright, 5. Claus Vissing, 6. Kyle Newman, 7. Lewis Kerr (guest).

Edited by lucifer sam
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