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Scunthorpe V Leicester 29 March


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EXCITING OPENING FIXTURE AHEAD ON GOOD FRIDAY

 

DEFENDING Premier League champions Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions face a tough opening fixture of the 2013 season on Good Friday (3pm) with the visit of highly-fancied Leicester Lions in League Cup action, in what promises to be a cracker of a meeting.

 

And there will be thirty heats of Bank Holiday action on offer, with the Scunthorpe Saints taking on a Long Eaton Select in a National League challenge match in the second half.

 

Scunthorpe Scorpions’ team manager Richard Hollingsworth is cautiously optimistic of his side’s chances on Friday.

 

He said: “It’s the first meeting of the season for many of our riders. As always with the first meeting, you can’t be quite sure what to expect. The riders are still looking to get into that groove and build up confidence, so there can be more of an element of surprise at this time of year.

 

“Leicester have a good side this year, but so do we. I think all our riders have managed to get some practice in, and that could work in our favour. Michael (Palm Toft), Thomas (Jørgensen) and Ryan (Douglas) all arrived a few weeks ago and have been here for the good part of a month.

 

“I’m sure what we will see on Friday is some high quality racing between two strong and highly-rated teams.”

 

The Scorpions have retained five riders from the 2012 championship-winning side and Hollingsworth believes another exciting season lies ahead.

 

“I am confident that we have a good team again this year”, he added. “I have complete faith in the riders.

 

“Just looking ahead to the Premier League campaign for a moment, the minimum we want is to make the play-offs, and once we’re in those, there’s every chance of winning another league title.

 

“We have a young team, with plenty of room for riders to progress. In particular, I look at the middle order of our team - Thomas Jørgensen, Ashley Birks and Michael Palm Toft - and each of those could substantially improve their average.

 

“Josh (Auty) and David (Howe) will form an excellent spearhead, although of course David is returning from an injury; while we have two raw and exciting talents in Ryan Douglas and Josh Bates at reserve, who are both new to this level of racing.

 

“I’m convinced some more exciting times are ahead for this club this season.”

 

The League Cup is split into four regional sections, with the four group winners qualifying for the semi-finals. Scunthorpe have Leicester and Sheffield in their group.

 

Friday’s adult admission price for the double-header is £16. It’s just £2 more than a single Premier League meeting at the Eddie Wright Raceway, for 15 extra heats of action.

 

The circuit rightfully won the award last season for being the best racetrack in the Premier League, so a full and exciting day of racing is ahead.

 

Double Header Admission Prices:

Adult: £16.00

Student/OAP: £14.00

Child (10 - 16): £5.00

Child (0 - 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult)

Family Ticket £37 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-16)

Match Programme: £1.00

 

Teams for Good Friday (English unless stated):

 

Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Josh Auty, 2. Thomas Jørgensen (Denmark), 3. Michael Palm Toft (Denmark), 4. Ashley Birks, 5. David Howe, 6. Josh Bates, 7. Ryan Douglas (Australia).

 

Leicester Lions: 1. Kauko Nieminen (Finland), 2. Jan Graversen (Denmark), 3. Lasse Bjerre (Denmark), 4. Adam Roynon, 5. Kevin Doolan (Australia), 6. Simon Nielsen (Denmark), 7. Lewis Blackbird.

 

Scunthorpe Saints: 1. Ryan Douglas, 2. Matt Williamson, 3. Oliver Greenwood, 4. Max Clegg, 5. Josh Bates, 6. Danny Phillips, 7. Adam Kirby.

 

Long Eaton Select: 1. Lee Dicken, 2. Lee Geary, 3. Shane Waldron, 4. Luke Chessell, 5. Ben Morley, 6. Nathan Greaves, 7. Conor Dywer.

 

 

Leicester Lions at EWR

 

Ave Ave Best

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

Lasse Bjerre PL 4 21 36 2 6.86 7.24 11 from 6 rides (2011)

Lewis Blackbird PL 1 4 3 0 3.00 3.00 3 from 4 rides (2012)

Kevin Doolan PL 8 39 63 2 6.46 6.67 14 from 5 rides (2008)

Jan Graversen PL 18 79 88 24 4.46 5.67 9 + 4 from 7 rides (2012)

Simon Nielsen PL 1 4 3 2 3.00 5.00 3 + 2 from 4 rides (2012)

Kauko Nieminen PL 4 18 29 1 6.44 6.67 13 from 5 rides (2008)

Adam Roynon PL 3 13 12 2 3.69 4.31 8 + 1 from 5 rides (2012)

 

Other Notes

 

Lasse Bjerre

2011 Danish Under-21 Champion.

Member of Denmark's World Under-21 Team Cup Championship Winning Team in 2010.

Member of Ipswich's Premier League Fours Championship Winning Team in 2010.

 

Lewis Blackbird

Member of Mildenhall's National League KO Cup Winning Team in 2011.

Captain of Mildenhall's 2012 National League side, which won 5 major trophies at that level.

Will also ride in 2013 for Dudley in the National League.

 

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.

 

Jan Graversen

Former Scunthorpe Scorpion who won the Kenny Smith Memorial Trophy in 2010.

Member of King's Lynn's Premier League Championship, Premier Trophy and KO Cup Winning Teams in 2009.

 

Simon Nielsen

First rode in this country, making his Premier League debut in 2011 for Workington.

Winner of the 2005 Individual FIM Youth Gold Trophy (80cc), unofficial Under-16 World Championship.

 

Kauko Nieminen

Three times Finnish Champion (2009, 2010 and 2011).

Three times Finnish Under-21 Champion (1998, 1999 and 2000).

Member of Workington's Premier League Fours Championship Winning Teams in 2004 and 2008.

Member of Workington's Premier League Pairs Winning Team in 2008.

Named as a 'doubling-up' rider with Belle Vue for the 2013 Elite League Season.

 

Adam Roynon

2006 Conference League Riders Champion.

Member of Mildenhall's Conference League Championship and KO Cup Winning Teams in 2004.

Member of Rye House's Premier League Championship Winning Team in 2007.

Member of Dudley's National League Shield and Four-Team Championship Winning Teams in 2011.

Member of Dudley's National League Shield Winning Team in 2012.

A member of Workington's Premier League Pairs Winning duo in 2012.

Named as a 'doubling-up rider with Coventry for the 2013 Elite League Season.

 

Leicester Lions' Results at EWR

 

08 July 2011 PL L Scunthorpe 53 Leicester 40

16 September 2011 PL (Ph 2) W Scunthorpe 43 Leicester 50

16 March 2012 KSMT L Scunthorpe 46 Leicester 44

10 August 2012 PL L Scunthorpe 51 Leicester 42

 

(stats courtesy of John Eyre)

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ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR GOOD FRIDAY DOUBLE-HEADER

 

HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions are all set to beat the recent bad spell of weather on Good Friday.

 

The Scorpions take on Leicester Lions in League Cup action (start-time 3pm) in their first meeting of the season at the Eddie Wright Raceway, before the Scunthorpe Saints take on a Long Eaton select in a National League challenge match in the second half.

 

The heavy snowfall that has hit some northern and midlands areas has largely avoided North Lincolnshire.

 

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “Friday’s meeting is definitely on. The weather forecast for the next two days poses no threat, while the track is in perfect condition.

 

“Many speedway fans across the country have found themselves starved of any racing so far this season. This is a chance to make up for that.

 

“Our meeting against Leicester promises to be a fantastic match between two of the leading contenders in this year’s Premier League. In total, we are putting on thirty heats of action for just £16 for adults.”

 

Double Header Admission Prices:

Adult: £16.00

Student/OAP: £14.00

Child (10 - 16): £5.00

Child (0 - 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult)

Family Ticket £37 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-16)

Match Programme: £1.00

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I am not sure about scunthorpes riding order...1. Josh Auty, 2. Thomas Jørgensen (Denmark), 3. Michael Palm Toft (Denmark), 4. Ashley Birks, 5. David Howe, 6. Josh Bates, 7. Ryan Douglas (Australia).

 

Jørgensen at 2 with auty, i think I would have gone for.....1. Josh Auty, 2. Ashley Birks, 3.David Howe , 4.Michael Palm Toft, 5. Thomas Jørgensen, 6. Josh Bates, 7. Ryan Douglas (Australia).

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Good meeting that in bitter conditions,some very good racing and a close scorelines, special mention has to go to Lewis Blackbird who was really good,,,,Lasse Bjerre had his annual EWR punch up,kid needs to grow up fast as he a talented rider

 

Good signs also from Ryan Douglas and Josh Bates....

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A good entertaining meeting considering the conditions. Blackbird and Nemo the pick of the visitors, but they were all competitive. Also good signs from all the Scorpions, especially the reserve pairing who were a big question mark pre-season. Leicester and Scunthorpe are solid teams that will both be there-or-thereabouts when the silverware is dished out. However, caution should always be used when making predictions based on the first few meetings of the year.

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