ELLIE ROSE TRAVEL Scunthorpe Scorpions made the perfect start to their Cab Direct Championship league fixtures, by thrashing Berwick Bandits by 59-31 at the Eddie Wright Raceway last night (Friday).

Scorpions soon flew into a 18-6 lead, after three successive 5-1s in Heats 2, 3 and 4 and then pulled further away, with Berwick restricted to just one heat advantage all night.

Victory was in the bag for four races remaining, while Scorpions have put themselves in an excellent position for the aggregate bonus point.

Skipper and No 1 Josh Pickering powered to a full 15-point maximum, while Danish star Michaell Palm Toft put in a much improved performance and was also unbeaten by a Bandit, as he took a 12+3 paid maximum.

Dan Gilkes – who has just returned after nearly a year on the sidelines through injury – had a pleasing debut for Scorpions, winning two races and scoring eight points, which would have been higher but for a fall in his third outing.

But arguably the star performer was 16-year-old Ryan Ingram, who was unbeaten in his opening three rides and posted a career-best 12+2 at Cab Direct Championship level. Ingram is exceeding all expectations for Scorpions and it’s a delight to see a young British rider adapting so well to a higher level of racing.

Ingram said: “It was a really good and confidence boosting night for myself and an awesome performance from the whole team.

“It was nice to get a few heat wins and try out some different lines. I also had a few tough races but I really enjoyed my night.”

Scorpions are back in action at Plymouth this evening (Saturday).

SCUNTHORPE 59: Josh Pickering 15 (full maximum), Michael Palm Toft 12+3 (paid maximum), Ryan Ingram 12+2, Dan Gilkes 8, Connor Mountain 6+1, Nathan Ablitt 6+1, Luke Harrison r/r

BERWICK 31: Nick Morris 12, Jack Smith 8+2, Jye Etheridge 6+2, Victor Palovaara 5, Lasse Fredriksen 0, Tom Spencer 0, Peter Kildemand r/r

* ELLIE ROSE TRAVEL Scunthorpe Scorpions next race at Scunthorpe’s Eddie Wright Raceway next Friday (May 22) at 7.30pm, when they entertain Glasgow Tigers in the Cab Direct Championship.

Photo Credits: Ian Rispin

Report by: Rob Peasley