SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS 53 REDCAR BEARS 37 (Cab Direct Championship)
ELLIE ROSE TRAVEL Scunthorpe Scorpions took one step further to the play-offs when they moved back to the top of the Cab Direct Championship table with a 53-37 victory over the Redcar Bears in a highly entertaining meeting at the Eddie Wright Raceway last night (Friday).
Scunthorpe took all three league points on offer – including the aggregate bonus point – since they had already won 48-42 at Redcar in May.
Skipper Josh Pickering was again in imperious form with a full 15-point-maximum and he received good support from the rest of the side, with every Scorpion picking up at least four points.
Scorpions took charge of the meeting from the off, despite both Connor Mountain and Michael Palm Toft picking up exclusions for touching the tapes in the opening three races,. In both instances, a Redcar rider moved first and lured a Scorpion into the tapes.
But reserves Ryan Ingram and Nathan Ablitt were up to the challenge of extra rides, and combined for a 5-1 in Heat 2, while Ingram won both Heats 2 and 3.
Redcar kept the scores relatively tight and closed to within four points, after Charles Wright – taking a tactical substitution ride – came through the pack to combine for a 5-1 with Jake Allen in Heat 9. Neither ex-Scorpion legends Allen (6+1) nor Simon Lambert (4+1) had particularly strong nights on the return to their old track.
Scunthorpe moved back eight ahead with a 5-1 from Pickering and Mountain in Heat 10, while teenager Luke Hairrson made it three wins out of three by holding off Wright in Heat 11.
After a 4-2 from Dan Gilkes and Nathan Ablitt in Heat 12, Pickering and Harrison sealed victory with a further 4-2 in Heat 13. Pickering overtook Wright in Heat 15 to complete his full house.
Scorpions’ team manager David Howe said: “If you look at the scores, I think the top five on both sides pretty much matched each other. Josh (Pickering) had another good meeting, but I think our reserves have made the difference.
“Young Ryan (Ingram) had a couple of lasts but three wins as well, so I think that’s been the major difference between the sides.”
Luke Harrison scored 11 points and said: “It was pretty perfect from my first three rides. Heats 13 and 15 were harder, but I’ve only recently stepped up to riding at No 5, so it’s all progress.
“We clicked as a team around the time the league campaign started. It’s all a nice feeling when the team is winning and that’s what we’re enjoying.”
SCUNTHORPE 53: Josh Pickering 15, Luke Harrison 11, Ryan Ingram 9, Nathan Ablitt 6+1, Connor Mountain 4+2, Dan Gilkes 4+1, Michael Palm Toft 4.
REDCAR 37: Charles Wright 14, Jason Edwards 7, Jake Allen 6+1, Jake Mulford 4+2, Simon Lambert 4+1, Jody Scott 2+1, Ace Pijper 0.
* ELLIE ROSE TRAVEL Scunthorpe Scorpions have a four-week break until they are next in action at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday, August 21 at 7.30pm, when they host Workington Comets. In the meantime, Scunthorpe are involved in away meetings at Oxford (August 5) and Poole (August 12).
PHOTOS BY IAN RIPSIN
