MASSIVE MEETING AT THE EDDIE WRIGHT RACEWAY ON FRIDAY
ELLIE ROSE TRAVEL Scunthorpe Scorpions are looking to pile up the points when they host reigning champions Poole Pirates in the first leg of their Cab Direct Championship Grand Final at Scunthorpe’s Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday evening (October 2) at 7.30pm.
It’s the biggest meeting at the North Lincolnshire venue for 14 years. 2012 was the last time that Scunthorpe reached a play-off final. On that occasion, they defeated Somerset Rebels by 92-91 in an epic final.
The second leg will take place at Wimborne Road, home of the Poole Pirates in Dorset, next Wednesday (October 7) and the aggregate winners will be crowned Cab Direct Championship league champions.
Scunthorpe were tipped by many to finish towards the bottom of the Cab Direct Championship this season, but have confounded expectations by firstly finishing third in the regular table and then by defeating Glasgow Tigers by 92-88 on aggregate in the semi-final.
The cornerstone to Scunthorpe overcoming Glasgow was a 53-37 victory in the first leg at the Eddie Wright Raceway. Scorpions then produced a superb rearguard action in the second leg in Scotland, keeping it close throughout most of the meeting. By the time that skipper Josh Pickering settled for second place in Heat 13 – having won his previous eight rides over the two legs – Scorpions were all but mathematically home.
While Scorpions will start as underdogs, the last time the two teams met in a major final, Scunthorpe defeated Poole by 92-88 on aggregate in the 2023 Knockout Cup Final. On that occasion, Scorpions gained victory via a 47-43 win at the EWR followed by a 45-45 draw down in Dorset.
In the two previous clashes between the two teams at the EWR this season, Scorpions won 50-40 in the MAXiCab Knockout Cup, while the regular Cab Direct Championship match was drawn 45-45. A paid 14 tally from guest Edward Kennett helped Pirates on the latter occasion – he is ineligible to guest for them on Friday.
For Scorpions, Connor Mountain moves up from No 7 to No 2, while Nathan Ablitt switches to the reserve berth. Both teams are due to be at full strength.
Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey says: “It really doesn’t get any bigger than this – this meeting is 14 years in the making.
“Poole will start as favourites, but that doesn’t bother us at all. We’ve been underdogs all season but we’re in the Grand Final. It’s all about which team can reach 91 points across the two legs.
“We want a strong first leg at home. That was so important in the semi-final against Glasgow and could be again.
“This is such a big occasion for the entire town of Scunthorpe. We don’t necessarily have the chance to celebrate a lot of sporting success around here. We want the whole town to come along to the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday and give our boys their support.”
Arguably the greatest-ever sportsman from Scunthorpe – treble World Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden – is due to be in attendance on Friday.
Following Heat 15, there will be a professional firework display by Rainbow Fireworks.
Accompanied children are FREE for the meeting, while there will also be a kids race during the evening.
For those who cannot make it to the Eddie Wright Raceway, the British Speedway Network (BSN) are streaming the meeting at: https://www.britishspeedwaynetwork.co.uk/
ADMISSION PRICES FOR FRIDAY:
Adult: £22
Student/OAP: £20
Child (0 – 16): Free (must be accompanied by paying adult)
Programme: £1.50
Car Parking free
Pay on the day at the turnstiles by cash or card.
Expected teams for Friday:
Ellie Rose Travel Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Josh Pickering (C), 2. Connor Mountain, 3. Jacob Hook, 4. Michael Palm Toft, 5. Luke Harrison, 6. Ryan Ingram, 7. Nathan Ablitt.
Poole Pirates: 1. Zach Cook (C), 2. William Cairns, 3. Lewis Kerr, 4. Cooper Rushen, 5. Richard Lawson, 6. Slater Lightcap, 7. Kyle Newman.
PHOTO BY IAN RISPIN
