Scunthorpe Speedway

03.07.12: League leaders visit Eddie Wright Raceway

THE EDDIE WRIGHT RACEWAY will play host to a meeting that promises to be a cracker on Friday evening (7.30pm), as the Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions entertain current Premier League leaders, the Newcastle Diamonds.

The Scorpions will go into this meeting high on confidence, having easily overcome the highly-fancied Ipswich Witches 61-31 at the Eddie Wright Raceway last Tuesday, and having followed that up by becoming the first visiting team to take a Premier League point from Somerset last Friday.

New signing Nick Morris makes his first home appearance, while former Scunthorpe Saint Stefan Nielsen (who shares a reserve spot with Tom Young) will make his Scorpions’ debut.

Meanwhile, Scorpions’ No. 1 David Howe (pictured) is all set to return from injuries sustained in a Longtrack meeting.

On his Twitter account yesterday afternoon (Tuesday), Howe revealed: “Looking forward to a few laps round the Norfolk Arena (King’s Lynn) today, test the shoulders and ribs out”, and followed that up later with: “Bikes to wash now ready for tomorrow.”

Howe will make his comeback in the King’s Lynn v Coventry Elite League match tonight (Wednesday), and then compete in the British Semi-Final at Sheffield on Thursday, before riding for the Scorpions on Friday.

Newcastle suffered a double injury blow at the weekend, with Richie Worrall and Mark Lemon both injured in a nasty pile-up at Workington.

Worrall is definitely ruled out with a broken leg, while the Diamonds are sweating on the fitness of Lemon. Carl Wilkinson will guest for Worrall, while rider replacement will operate for Lemon should he prove to be unfit.

Scorpions’ team manager Richard Hollingsworth said: “There’s no doubt that Newcastle are a tough test for our new-look team. They are not at the top of the Premier League for nothing.

"The injury to Richie Worrall is a huge blow to them, and we send our best wishes to Richie on a speedy recovery. But the Diamonds have a fine replacement in Carl Wilkinson on Friday, who outscored Richie last week when both riders put in guest appearances for the Scorpions.

“Newcastle pushed us all the way in the League Cup in March, before we won 46-44 with a late comeback.

“I’m looking for something a bit more comfortable on Friday, and there’s no reason that we can’t do that, if we ride like we did against Ipswich.

“Josh Auty, Michael Palm Toft, Thomas Jorgensen and Ashley Birks were all in great form in that meeting, amassing a huge 49 paid 55 between them.

“Michael has had an engine tuned by Sean Wilson, and it has made the world of difference to him. He was fantastic against Ipswich, and also rode well at Somerset last Friday.

“If you consider that we have those four, plus David Howe and Nick Morris, then we will be a formidable force around the Eddie Wright Raceway – not only on Friday but for the rest of the season.

“I’m often asked by fans if I’m confident that we’re going to win. I’m always hopeful, but now with this team we have, I am confident”, Hollingsworth enthused.

“It’s good to see Stefan Nielsen make his Scorpions’ debut on Friday, having graduated from the Saints National League side.

“Stefan rode superbly for Mildenhall in the Saints v Fen Tigers National League match at the Eddie Wright Raceway last Friday, only missing out on a paid maximum due to a fall while leading a race and his appearance against Newcastle is a fitting reward for that performance.

“We don’t want to place any pressure on Stefan’s shoulders, although I feel both he and Tom Young are capable of scoring points at Premier League level”, Hollingsworth concluded.

Teams for Friday (English unless stated):

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

Newcastle Diamonds: 1. Stuart Robson, 2. Claes Nedermark (Denmark), 3. Mark Lemon (Australia) or R/R, 4. Christian Henry (Australia), 5. Ludvig Lindgren (Sweden), 6. Steve Worrall, 7. Carl Wilkinson (guest).