LEAGUE LEADERS Ellie Rose Travel  Scunthorpe Scorpions have been hit with the news that Dan Gilkes has broken his collarbone in a Great Britain practice session and requires surgery. Gilkes suffered the injury last Saturday, a day after he scored 4+1 in a 53-37 victory over Redcar Bears at Scunthorpe’s Eddie Wright Raceway.

The club has moved swiftly and have brought Jacob Hook over from Australia as a replacement. Hook will make his debut for Scorpions away at Oxford next Wednesday (August 5).

Team manager David Howe explains how the club moved so fast. He said: “As a club, we are obviously always looking at options, and we had a few irons in the fire.

“After Friday’s win, we were pretty content, but the injury to Dan has forced our hand, and we had to pull the pin. The major issue is that Dan moves to reserve in August, and there is no way we can cover that.

“We have been speaking to Jacob since April, and now we have the opportunity to let him re-build his British career. The team and myself were very happy with the spirit in the camp since we brought Dan into the side, but I think Jacob will fit straight into the environment we have created. We wish Dan the best with his recovery.”

* ELLIE ROSE TRAVEL Scunthorpe Scorpions are currently in the middle of a four-week break in home fixtures. The next action at the Eddie Wright Raceway in on Friday, August 21 at 7.30pm, when they host Workington Comets in the Cab Direct Championship.

Photo Credits: Ian Rispin

Report by: Rob Peasley