Scunthorpe V Sheffield (retro Cup) - Sunday, September 29th (3pm)

[lucifer sam 3,954]

SCORPIONS BADE FAREWELL TO 2013

 

HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions will take part in their last meeting of the season at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Sunday afternoon (3pm), as they take on local rivals Sheffield Tigers in the second leg of the Retro Cup.

 

The Scorpions have a 42-36 lead, after a win in the first leg at Sheffield on Thursday.

 

It is a meeting styled on how speedway was run on the sixties, seventies and eighties, thought by many to be a Golden Age for British Speedway.

 

The Retro Cup sees the reintroduction of:

 

• The old 13-heat format that that was used in British Speedway between 1969 and 1987 and coined the phrase that “happiness is 40-38”. The 1-5 in each team have four programmed rides, while the 6 & 7 (reserves) have three programmed rides.

 

• Tactical substitutes, where one rider can replace another (or indeed two riders can replace two others!), once a team is six points or more in arrears at any stage after Heat 4. The tactical substitute served speedway from 1955 to 2003, but was replaced by the somewhat controversial tactical ride (programmed riders going for double points) in 2004. Tactical substitutes are for regular points.

 

• The Champion Of The Afternoon competition in the second half, sponsored by Peacock & Binnington (one of the premier agricultural machinery dealers in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, with branches at Brigg, Louth, Corringham and Selby). Such second halves were the norm in British Speedway from the early days of the sport to around 1984. Sunday’s second half sees three qualifying heats, with the winner of each race progressing to the final, along with the fastest second-placed rider, so times are all-important!

 

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “It’s a challenge match, but one with an interesting twist that will interest a lot of people.

 

“A lot of the longer-term fans are always saying we should go back to the way we used to run meetings, so for one meeting, we are! We’ll see how it goes.

 

“There’s been a lot of recent discussion of how speedway can move itself forward. I started some of it myself with a request to hear the views of supporters in the ‘Speedway Star’, speedway’s top weekly magazine.

 

“Sometimes it’s necessary to look how you used to do things, and work out if some of those things were actually better. So it will be interesting to see how everything goes on Sunday afternoon.

 

“It’ll be a great afternoon for the fans who went to Scunthorpe Speedway at Quibell Park and Ashby Ville in the 70s and 80s, who pine for the days of 13 heats, tactical subs and second halves. And, for newer supporters, it’s a chance to see how we used to do things.”

 

It is the sixth clash between local rivals Scunthorpe and Sheffield in 2013. The current score stands at four Scunthorpe victories to Sheffield’s solitary one.

 

Godfrey added: “Sunday gives us a chance to welcome Sheffield promoters Neil Machin & David Hoggart plus the Tigers team here once more this season.

 

“It might be Neil’s last-ever meeting as Sheffield promoter after 21 years in charge.

 

“I sincerely hope that it’s not, because while the two clubs are rivals on the track, Neil has been a good friend to Scunthorpe – on hand with advice and someone I’ve been able to turn to if we’ve had a problem.

 

“He’s too good a promoter to lose to British Speedway.

 

“Although we have a six-point lead from the first leg, Sheffield are determined to turn the tables on us on Sunday. I believe they’ve booked two track specialists in Richard Lawson and Hugh Skidmore as their guests, so they are going all out to win what could be Neil’s final meeting in charge.

 

“It should be a great contest, although I’d love to force the Tigers to use some tactical subs!”

 

Godfrey also clarified why the Scorpions have opted to use rider replacement in these two meetings.

 

“It’s because the reserves only have three programmed rides under the 13-heat-format”, he explained.

 

“I want to use rider replacement to give Lewis (Blackbird) and Ryan (Douglas) more scoring opportunities and therefore the opportunity to earn more money.

 

“The reserves in a team tend to be on less money per point than say the heat leaders, so it’s not fair to give them less rides as well.

 

“It’s the least that Lewis & Ryan deserve after the way they’ve rode for us in the second half of this season. So often those two lads have been our match-winners.”

 

Sunday’s meeting also comes complete with a full second half.

 

Godfrey enthused: “The second half will be interesting, because it’s not often our riders race each other at the Eddie Wright Raceway.

 

“It’ll be interesting to see comes out on top and becomes Champion Of The Afternoon.

 

“Will it be Josh (Auty), Nicolai (Klindt) or Tommy The Gun (Thomas Jørgensen), or our guest the Crazy Frog (David Bellego), or maybe one of our reserves - Ryan (Douglas) or Lewis (Blackbird) – will scoop the prize, or will one of the Sheffield lads end up winning it?

 

“In the second half, we’re also planning to have some mechanics’ races and stuff like that, to mark the end of the season.

 

“We’ve missed out on this kind of stuff over the last couple of years, because when you’re in play-offs, you’re never quite sure when the season is over. This year, the pressure is off and we can have a fun end to the season.

 

“Sheffield co-promoter David Hoggart has challenged me to a race, so that should provide a bit of entertainment!”

 

Scunthorpe will be holding a collection for the injured Ashley Birks on Sunday.

 

The Scorpions’ skipper suffered a broken back in two places at Plymouth last Friday in the Westernapolis individual event.

 

He underway a lengthy operation (in excess of seven hours) on his back on Monday, and the latest twitter updates from Ash indicate he also suffered two broken ribs and a broken collarbone.

 

Godfrey said: “Poor Ash really had a really bad one at Plymouth. I’m sure the supporters will give generously to his collection on Sunday.

 

“He’s a popular rider at the Eddie Wright Raceway. He’s passionate about the club and about winning; and the fans like that. He’s also been a very good captain of the side.

 

“One of his ambitions is to be No 1 at Scunthorpe. According to our figures, he’s achieved that and will finish the season top of our Green Sheet averages.

 

“We hope we can raise a bumper collection for Ash on Sunday, and we hope he is on the mend soon.”

 

Admission Prices for Sunday:

Adult: £14.00

Student/OAP: £12.00

Child (10 - 16): £5.00

Child (0 - 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult)

Family Ticket £33 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-16)

Match Programme: £1.00

 

Expected teams for Sunday:

 

Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Josh Auty, 2. Ashley Birks R/R, 3. Nicolai Klindt (Denmark), 4. David Bellego (France – guest), 5. Thomas Jørgensen (Denmark), 6. Ryan Douglas (Australia), 7. Lewis Blackbird.

 

Sheffield Tigers: 1. Richard Lawson (guest), 2. Andre Compton, 3. Ricky Wells (United States), 4. Danny Maassen (Germany), 5. Hugh Skidmore (Australia - guest), 6. Damien Koppe (Australia), 7. Facundo Albin (Argentina).

 

Scorpions Info

 

Josh Auty has become the first rider to score over 1000 points at the EWR, both for and against the club (1001 to date).

Thomas Jørgensen has now scored over 800 points for the club (812 to date).

Ryan Douglas has now scored over 200 points for the club (206 to date).

 

Sheffield Tigers at EWR

 

Ave Ave Best

Name Lge M R Pts BP (no BP) (w BP) Performance

Facundo Albin PL 2 7 5 1 2.86 3.43 4 + 1 from 4 rides (2013)

Andre Compton PL 10 45 80 7 7.11 7.73 13 from 5 rides (2005)

Damien Koppe PL 2 8 4 0 2.00 2.00 4 from 4 rides (2013)

Danny Maassen DEBUT PL MEETING @ EWR

Ricky Wells PL 9 40 57 7 5.70 6.40 8 + 3 from 5 rides (2012)

 

 

Other Notes

 

Facundo Albin

2011 Argentinean Champion.

Competed in the 2012 World Under-21 Championship as a wildcard in 2 rounds.

 

Andre Compton

2004 Premier League Riders' Champion.

Member of Sheffield's 1999 and 2001 Premier League Championship Winning Teams.

Member of Sheffield's Premier League Four-Team Championship Winning Team in 1999.

Member of Workington's Young Shield Winning Team in 2009.

 

Damien Koppe

Finished second to Steve Jones in an Amateur Meeting held in October 2012 at EWR.

Won his first PL race at the EWR in April's League Cup match between the sides.

 

Danny Maassen

A German Under-21 international who was signed last month to replace the retired Joe Haines.

2011 German Under-21 Champion.

Has the quickest winning time for a visiting rider this season at the EWR (56.48).

 

Ricky Wells

2009 US National Champion.

Twice USA Under-21 Champion (2007 and 2008).

Member of Wolverhampton's Elite Shield Winning Team in 2011.

Named as a 'doubling-up' rider with Wolverhampton for the 2013 Elite League season.

Represented his country in this season's World Cup.

 

Sheffield Tigers' Results at Owlerton

 

20 March 2008 PT W Sheffield 57 Scunthorpe 36

10 April 2008 KOC W Sheffield 55 Scunthorpe 36

18 September 2008 PL W Sheffield 52 Scunthorpe 38

22 March 2009 CH W Sheffield 50 Scunthorpe 40

25 June 2009 PL W Sheffield 52 Scunthorpe 38

08 April 2010 PT W Sheffield 49 Scunthorpe 43

15 July 2010 PL W Sheffield 61 Scunthorpe 32

24 March 2011 CH W Sheffield 59 Scunthorpe 35

14 July 2011 PL W Sheffield 55 Scunthorpe 39

25 June 2012 LC W Sheffield 54 Scunthorpe 39

12 July 2012 PL L Sheffield 43 Scunthorpe 47

04 April 2013 LC W Sheffield 51 Scunthorpe 41

22 August 2013 PL L Sheffield 44 Scunthorpe 46

26 September 2013 Retro Cup L Sheffield 36 Scunthorpe 42

 

Sheffield Tigers' Results at EWR

 

23 October 2005 CH L Scunthorpe 47 Sheffield 43

30 October 2007 CH W Scunthorpe 44 Sheffield 45

21 March 2008 PT W Scunthorpe 41 Sheffield 48

11 April 2008 KOC W Scunthorpe 44 Sheffield 48

15 August 2008 PL W Scunthorpe 43 Sheffield 47

20 March 2009 CH L Scunthorpe 60 Sheffield 32

05 May 2009 PL L Scunthorpe 57 Sheffield 38

19 March 2010 PT L Scunthorpe 43 Sheffield 33

30 August 2010 PL W Scunthorpe 41 Sheffield 51

18 March 2011 CH W Scunthorpe 43 Sheffield 47

10 June 2011 PL L Scunthorpe 46 Sheffield 43

04 June 2012 LC W Scunthorpe 40 Sheffield 50

17 August 2012 PL L Scunthorpe 51 Sheffield 42

05 April 2013 LC L Scunthorpe 50 Sheffield 38

21 June 2013 PL L Scunthorpe 63 Sheffield 31

 

(stats courtesy of John Eyre)

Edited September 27, 2013 by lucifer sam

[Heather12 14]

Gutted that I am going to miss this as I was really looking forward to it but I have promised to help at The Buxton 20^th Anniversary Airfence Challenge Meeting. I hope all goes well and that you all have a great afternoon

[Halifordukesfan 60]

Gutted that I am going to miss this as I was really looking forward to it but I have promised to help at The Buxton 20^th Anniversary Airfence Challenge Meeting. I hope all goes well and that you all have a great afternoon

Not that gutted though !

Usual tigers performance, absolute disgrace, the whole Sheffield operation should hang its head in shame, they have quite simply robbed the paying public,home & away, this season.

[stratton 1,491]

Douglas really has made alot of progress, a sticky start to his british career he has stuck at it and the promotion have been great.They believed in him bigtime supported him and before this season i had followed his career a nice riding style i thought he would average between 5.80 to six points a meeting.Not that far off nice to see Auty round the season in great style how did he do tonight gate (or not) still at his best very good indeed.

[scunny1 436]

Were the Scorpions exceptionally good, were the Tigers poor ?-have to say a bit of both. All the Scorpions seemed determined to go for the points, from the front, from the back,inside line ,around the boards- just so much more effort. Apart from the Tigers guests ,Sheffield were very poor. Did not enjoy watching Compton being destroyed by the Scorpions, from a man who has taken so many points from us in the past perhaps retirement looms again? A poor ending to Mr Machin's last match,I feel for him.

[lucifer sam 3,954]

A bit one-sided, although the Scunny boys did make fine passes in a number of races, including a last to first burst by Josh in Heat 12.

 

Josh was at his best, didn't matter id he gated or not, while nice to see a paid max for Ryan. Solid scoring all the way down for the Scorpions.

 

Sheffield were poor.

 

I thought the second half was going to be a highlight and it was, as the four Scunny boys did battle, with Josh passing Nicolai to win the race, and not far behind them, the battle for third.

 

Meeting had a nice, end-of-season feel to it.

 

All the best

Rob

[scunny1 436]

"Meeting had a nice, end-of-season feel to it."

 

 

 

 

Where you been at the end of seasons then? Not dark,not wet not cold and no fancy dress Halloween or Fireworks. Did not feel end of season at all to me, more like robbed of at least a months Friday night speedway. Oh well Hollyoaks, Emmerdale and Corrie for next 6 months....zzzzz.

[lucifer sam 3,954]

"Meeting had a nice, end-of-season feel to it."

 

Where you been at the end of seasons then? Not dark,not wet not cold and no fancy dress Halloween or Fireworks. Did not feel end of season at all to me, more like robbed of at least a months Friday night speedway. Oh well Hollyoaks, Emmerdale and Corrie for next 6 months....zzzzz.

 

I think the idea of having the final meeting on a Sunday afternoon actually worked well. It meant it wasn't dark and cold.

 

The majority of the crowd stayed behind for the Godfrey v Hoggart match-race, etc, when on a Friday night they'd have been heading for the exit to get home in the warm.

 

All the best

Rob

[spin king 1,923]

I think the idea of having the final meeting on a Sunday afternoon actually worked well. It meant it wasn't dark and cold.

 

The majority of the crowd stayed behind for the Godfrey v Hoggart match-race, etc, when on a Friday night they'd have been heading for the exit to get home in the warm.

 

All the best

Rob

Wh won the Godfrey/ Hoggart race.

[scunny1 436]

Rob, won with a mini wheelie over the line. Hoggy missed the gate completely.

[lucifer sam 3,954]

Wh won the Godfrey/ Hoggart race.

 

Rob G flew out of the gate, while Hoggy stalled the bike. Hoggy got a push start to get going, by this time Rob had half a lap lead.

 

Rob slowed down to let Hoggy catch back up and they were level with a lap to go.

 

Hoggy looked at the outside line, but as Rob headed wide towards him, Hoggy thought the better of it and backed out of the move.

 

Rob then well ahead again, and slowed down coming off the final bend, trying to pull a wheelie. He won with a mini-wheelie over the line!

 

All the best

Rob

[spin king 1,923]

Rob G flew out of the gate, while Hoggy stalled the bike. Hoggy got a push start to get going, by this time Rob had half a lap lead.

 

Rob slowed down to let Hoggy catch back up and they were level with a lap to go.

 

Hoggy looked at the outside line, but as Rob headed wide towards him, Hoggy thought the better of it and backed out of the move.

 

Rob then well ahead again, and slowed down coming off the final bend, trying to pull a wheelie. He won with a mini-wheelie over the line!

 

All the best

Rob

Just about sums up everything about our season, yet another loss. ,