lucifer sam

Two, I think. On the other hand, Coventry are mentioned in about 10-12 of them... because the Heathens always seemed to be beating the Bees in cup finals. It's a history of Cradley, not Oxford. I was bearing that in mind when it came writing about the 1984-1989 period. To be honest, the clubs rarely met in finals. Apart the from aborted '86 finals, the only other ocassion I can recall is the '89 Gold Cup Final. And that doesn't get a mention in this (it did in the equivalent Oxford piece), because Cradley lost. Any feedback is more than welcome. I trebled-checked the information (I knew how committed the Cradley fans were/still are) so I hope it's all present and correct. I enjoyed writing it. Penhall was my childhood hero, I liked (the very likeable) Erik - even though the Gundersen/Nielsen rivalry did get in the way at times - and Jan O was a brilliant rider to watch. All the best Rob

Fantastic meeting last night. Hope the Sky meeting is just as good - but with a Scorpions win! All the best Rob

Mr Love, I see you've lost none of your sarcasm in the last ten years. Quite frankly I don't care who the track would have suited. After a three-hour journey, I just wanted to see some speedway. I'm fully aware that rain-offs are part and parcel of the sport (been to enough over the years, including four at Glasgow's Shawfield stadium and two in Sweden), but I expect the home club to do their absolute all to try to get the meeting on. Last night there was no apparent effort from Ipswich to get the meeting on. I didn't see a single member of track staff on the circuit yesterday. I have been to enough meetings over the years, to know when a track is beyond saving. That didn't look the case last night. I had to ask about four people if the meeting was off yesterday, such was my complete bewilderment and amazement at the decision. Last night, speedway yet again shot itself in the foot. One day, it'll do that once too often and topple over. All the best Rob Peasley

Nope, John kindly supplies the stats for the Press Releases. All the best Rob

Funny I couldn't see a single puddle on the track even after the 6.45pm shower. Stop trying to defend the indefensible... there is no way that meeting should have been called off. All the best Rob Peasley

Oh dear. Not a good night for Speedway. Can't believe how easily that meeting was called off - one brief shower. In contrast, I went to Scunny on October 29th last year (the play-off final), it was obvious that they'd had prolonged rain during the afternoon (the pits was almost underwater!!) but that meeting went ahead. All the best Rob

SCORPIONS COMMENCE LEAGUE TITLE DEFENCE “THE season starts here!” That’s the message from Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey, as the Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions commence their Premier League title defence with matches home and away against the Ipswich Witches this week. The Scorpions travel to Ipswich on Thursday evening, before hosting the Witches at the Eddie Wright Raceway in the return fixture on Friday (7.30pm). Godfrey adds: “While it would have been nice to do well in the League Cup and the Premier Shield, it is the league which is our priority. It’s here that the really important stuff begins. “We know from last season what it’s all about. It’s about getting comfortably into the play-offs, and then making sure the team is on top form come the end of the season. “A couple of positive results this week would get our league campaign off to the start that we are looking for.” The Ipswich Witches are looking to make amends for a disappointing 2012 season, in which they were pre-season Premier League favourites, but finished seventh and failed to reach the play-offs. The Witches have brought in Great Britain international Ben Barker as a genuine No 1, and have two young hot shots at reserve in Australian Cameron Heeps and French-born Brit Adam Ellis. Ellis won the 500cc section of the British Under-15 Championship round at Scunthorpe in 2012. Godfrey said: “Ipswich may not have the best record around the Eddie Wright Raceway, but we won’t be taking anything for granted. However, we will be seeking to take all three league points out of the home meeting. “We won in fabulous style at Ipswich last July. It was perhaps the result that really made the rest of the league sit up and take notice. “It’s unlikely to be as easy this time. Somerset went to Ipswich last week in the League Cup and came away without a point. “But we’d love to come away from Foxhall Heath with a good result, and some points to show for our efforts.” Ryan Douglas is set to return to action for the two meetings against the Witches. He damaged his thumb and hand at the Eddie Wright Raceway last Friday, and subsequently missed the meeting at Newcastle on Sunday. Josh Bates - another absentee at Newcastle - is also due to return to the Scorpions’ line-up. A home victory on Friday would be the 16th successive Premier League home win for the Scorpions, as the team close in the second-tier club record of twenty successive home league wins set by the 1983-84 Scunthorpe Stags. The Stags actually went 23 home meetings undefeated (after 20 home wins, there was a draw with Stoke), recording 22 wins and 1 draw, before tasting defeat to Hackney in July 1984. In all competitions, since an Emiliano Sanchez inspired Sheffield won at the Eddie Wright Raceway last June, the Scorpions have won their last 17 official home matches – 11 Premier League, 3 play-off, 2 League Cup and 1 Premier Shield. Teams for Friday (English unless stated): Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Josh Auty, 2. David Howe 3. Michael Palm Toft (Denmark), 4. Ashley Birks, 5. Thomas Jørgensen (Denmark), 6. Josh Bates, 7. Ryan Douglas (Australia). Ipswich Witches: 1. Ben Barker, 2. Jari Makinen (Finland), 3. Rohan Tungate (Australian), 4. Morten Risager (Denmark), 5. Leigh Lanham, 6. Adam Ellis, 7. Cameron Heeps (Australia). Admission Prices for Friday: 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 Scorpions Info Josh Auty has now moved into 3rd place in the all-time Top Scorers for the club (1417 to date). Josh has also moved into 4th place in the all-time list for Bonus Points scored for the club (112 to date). Ipswich Witches at EWR Ave Ave Best Name Lge M R Pts BP (no BP) (w BP) Performance Ben Barker PL 4 19 41 2 8.63 9.05 15 from 5 rides (2008) Adam Ellis DEBUT PL MEETING @ EWR Cameron Heeps PL 1 4 1 0 1.00 1.00 1 from 4 rides (2012) Leigh Lanham PL 5 24 44 1 7.33 7.50 14 from 5 rides (inc 4 pts T/R (2011)) Jari Makinen PL 2 8 8 0 4.00 4.00 5 from 4 rides (2012) Morten Risager PL 3 11 7 0 2.55 2.55 4 from 4 rides (2012) Rohan Tungate PL 1 4 4 1 4.00 5.00 4 + 1 from 4 rides (2012) Other Notes Ben Barker Has represented Great Britain in Speedway World Cup Events. Member of Oxford's Conference League Championship Winning Team in 2005. Member of Coventry's Elite League Championship Winning Team in 2010. Member of Stoke's Conference League Four Team Championship Winning Team in 2006. Member of Coventry's Craven Shield Winning Team in 2008. Named as a 'doubling-up' rider with Birmingham for the 2013 Elite League Season. Adam Ellis Riding in his first full season in British speedway. Appeared in all three major domestic leagues in 2012. Winner of the 500cc class in the round held at EWR of the 2012 British Youth Championship. Will also ride for the Isle of Wight in the 2013 National League. Cameron Heeps 5 times Western Australian Under-16 Champion (2006 to 2010). Member of Mildenhall's National League KO Cup Winning Team in 2011. 2012 Western Australia State Champion. Leigh Lanham 1997 British Under-21 Champion. Member of Exeter's Young Shield Winning Team in 1997. Member of Newport's Premier League KO Cup Winning Team in 2011. Jari Makinen 2007 Finnish Under-21 Champion Morten Risager Member of Coventry's Elite League Championship Winning Teams in 2005 and 2007. Member of Coventry's Elite Shield Winning Team in 2006. Made his British League debut with Coventry in 2004. Member of Ipswich's Premier League Four-Team Championship Winning Team in 2011. Rohan Tungate Has won multiple Long track and Dirt track titles in Australia and is riding in his 2nd PL season with Ipswich. Named as a 'doubling-up rider with Poole for the 2013 Elite League Season. Ipswich's Results at EWR: 03 June 2011 KOC1 L Scunthorpe 55 Ipswich 35 01 July 2011 KOC1R L Scunthorpe 53 Ipswich 37 05 August 2011 PL L Scunthorpe 53 Ipswich 39 26 June 2012 PL L Scunthorpe 61 Ipswich 31 (stats courtesy of John Eyre)

Well done to the Diamonds - the best team over the two legs. And well done to Lewis Kerr - fantastic performance from a young British rider. Pity he couldn't have done that against another team, though, rather than us!! The racing was alright, despite the final scoreline. Had a chat with Tsunami afterwards, which went alright, because neither of us mentioned Mrs T. All the best Rob

Can't find a thread on this as yet. I guess the Diamonds start as slight favourites, but the Scorpions will be battling all the way to get their hands on the opening piece of silverware of the Premier League season. My prediction: Newcastle 51 Scunthorpe 45, and the Scorpions to win by one point on aggregate... again!! All the best Rob

Tsunami, hopefully we will bump into each other tomorrow. We'll skip the politics and just talk speedway!! All the best Rob

Sidney, Josh's one gate came in Heat 15 last night - the rest of it involved at least one pass per race (sometimes more, the thing about the Scunthorpe track is that it's possible for the other riders to come back past as well!!). Lewis Kerr did put in a fabulous performance for the Diamonds last night - always great to see a young Brit starting to come of age. As for Scunny's two reserves, Ryan Douglas looked good last night, and would have scored more but for falling in Heat 12 and damaging his wrist. Josh Bates' score last night didn't reflect the fact he wasn't far behind at all last night - it'll come soon for him. All the best Rob

Really enjoyed the meeting tonight. Some great action. All the best Rob

SCORPIONS CHASE PREMIER SHIELD HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions will be looking to pick up their opening piece of silverware of the season this weekend. The Scorpions are involved in the Premier Shield, speedway’s equivalent to football’s Community Shield, featuring the league champions (Scunthorpe) against the current cup holders (Newcastle Diamonds). The first leg takes place at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday evening (7.30pm), with the return at Newcastle’s Brough Park on Sunday (6.30pm). Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “It is a chance to win some silverware. This is a proper Premier League competition. It’s not just a Mickey Mouse home-and-away challenge match; it’s a genuine official competition between the top two sides from last year. “But unless we find some form, it is going to be a battle. We’re not quite performing at our top level so far this season. “At the moment, we’re not riding like league champions. Newcastle have started the season like potential champions, so it’s going to be a tough night on Friday. “But everything could click back into place. I’m sure it will be a good meeting with terrific racing. I hope we fire on all cylinders and get a comprehensive win, because we’ll need to take a good lead to Brough Park to stand a chance of the aggregate win.” Godfrey admits several of his riders have yet to show their top form. He said: “Ash (Birks) and Thomas (Jørgensen) are doing very well and they are our best two riders at the moment, rather than Josh (Auty) and David (Howe). “Of course, Josh & David realise that, and know they’re not quite on the pace yet. Josh is good at home, but not quite there away. We saw that last year with Josh; he’s a slow starter to the season, but once he gets going, he’s well and truly away. “Meanwhile, David has had almost a year off with injuries. He had a day practicing the other day, and he will get back to his best. “As I keep saying, it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish.” One change in Scunthorpe’s riding order sees Howe and Jørgensen swapping places – with Howe moving to No 2 and Jørgensen to No 5. “David loves being out in the first race”, explained Godfrey. “Looking at Thomas’s scoring for our opening two home meetings, he’s finished last in Heat 1, but then only dropped a point in his remaining rides. “We’re hoping the change in riding order will help fire the team up.” Godfrey has paid tribute to outgoing team manager Richard Hollingsworth. Hollingsworth will continue to stay heavily involved with the club, especially in regard to youth development at the Eddie Wright Raceway. He took over the team manager’s reigns from the late Kenny Smith in 2009. “It’s not a complete bolt out of the blue”, admitted Godfrey. “Richard has done a terrific job in the last four years as team manager. He’s has been here as long as I have – he helped me build the place. “He’s taken the kids under his wing, with the Amateur Meetings, the Saints team, and so on. That’s his big passion, and that’s now what he will be concentrating on.” Godfrey also revealed the stress caused by the injury crisis that the club faced throughout much of the 2012 season (making it even more remarkable that the club ended the year as league champions). “Last year, it was Guest City. It was really strenuous. When everyone else was tucked up in bed, Richard and myself would be up until around 1-2am in the morning, trying to book guests. “The pressure was relentless. We had both Josh Auty & Nick Morris injured the night before a play-off match at Edinburgh. I think Richard was up all night securing guests. “It’s not a job where you turn up and go home, it’s full on most days of the week, and when you need one, two, even three guests for some meetings, it’s so hard. With that and the weather, it took its toll on both Richard and myself last season. “I think it was trying to secure a guest for Josh Bates at Leicester on Saturday that reminded Richard of all that again. “I totally understand his decision to stand down as team manager. He has been doing so much for the club; he hardly ever had any spare time. “Richard is still a big part of this club, and I thank him for all he’s done so far for Scunthorpe Speedway.” Former Hull boss and ex-SCB referee Dave Peet will take over as team manager for Scorpions’ home meetings, while Godfrey will cover the job for away meetings. This weekend sees Josh Bates return to action for the Scorpions. Bates picked up an ankle injury during last Friday’s Scunthorpe v Sheffield meeting, but a visit to hospital revealed no breaks. Teams for Friday (English unless stated): Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Josh Auty, 2. David Howe 3. Michael Palm Toft (Denmark), 4. Ashley Birks, 5. Thomas Jørgensen (Denmark), 6. Josh Bates, 7. Ryan Douglas (Australia). Newcastle Diamonds (probable): 1. Stuart Robson, 2. R/R for Andrew Tully (Scotland), 3. Christian Henry (Australia), 4. Ludvig Lindgren (Sweden), 5. Richie Worrall, 6. Lewis Kerr, 7. Steve Worrall. Admission Prices for Friday: 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 Scorpions Info Ashley Birks has now scored over 700 points for the club (726 to date). David Howe has now made over 150 appearances for the club (151 to date). Newcastle Diamonds at EWR Ave Ave Best Name Lge M R Pts BP (no BP) (w BP) Performance Christian Henry PL 5 23 23 3 4.00 4.52 6 from 4 rides (2012) Lewis Kerr PL 1 3 0 0 0.00 0.00 Ludvig Lindgren PL 3 14 31 1 8.86 9.14 14 from 5 rides (inc 4 pts T/R (2009)) Stuart Robson PL 4 20 42 3 8.40 9.00 11 + 2 from 5 rides (2012) Richie Worrall PL 5 23 38 4 6.61 7.30 13 from 5 rides (2012 (for Scorpions)) Steve Worrall PL 26 109 103 24 3.78 4.66 10 + 2 from 5 rides (2011 (for Scorpions)) Other Notes Christian Henry Member of Glasgow's Premier League Championship Winners in 2011. Member of Newcastle's Premier League KO Cup Winning Team in 2012. Lewis Kerr Rode as a Guest rider for Somerset in their 2012 League Cup Winning Team for the injured Tom Perry. Captain of King's Lynn's 2013 National League side. Ludvig Lindgren Member of Wolverhampton's Elite Shield Winning Teams in 2010 and 2011. Member of Newcastle's Premier League KO Cup Winning Team in 2012. Agreed a short-term deal to replace Sam Masters in a 'doubling-up' role with Wolverhampton in the Elite League. Stuart Robson Member of Coventry's Craven Shield Winning Team in 2000. Member of Rye House's Premier League and Premier Trophy Winning Teams in 2005. Member of Lakeside's Elite League KO Cup Winning Team in 2009. Member of Newcastle's Premier Shield Winning Team in 2011. Member of Newcastle's Premier League KO Cup Winning Team in 2012. Richie Worrall Former Scunthorpe Saint. Member of the Saints' National League Winning Team in 2011. Member of Newcastle's Premier Shield Winning Team in 2011. Qualified for the World Under-21 Finals in 2012, before injury prevented him taking part. Steve Worrall Former Scunthorpe Scorpion and Saint. Member of the Saints' National League Winning Team in 2011. Newcastle's Results at EWR: 04 April 2008 PT L Scunthorpe 55 Newcastle 38 16 May 2008 PL L Scunthorpe 56 Newcastle 36 08 May 2009 KOC (1) L Scunthorpe 65 Newcastle 25 07 August 2009 PL L Scunthorpe 51 Newcastle 45 14 May 2010 KOC (1) L Scunthorpe 49 Newcastle 41 23 July 2010 PL L Scunthorpe 52 Newcastle 39 01 April 2011 PL L Scunthorpe 47 Newcastle 42 30 March 2012 LC L Scunthorpe 46 Newcastle 44 13 July 2012 PL L Scunthorpe 48 Newcastle 42 Newcastle Diamonds' 2013 Results 30 March 2013 ITS A L Newcastle 42 Workington 51 31 March 2013 ITS H W Newcastle 54 Workington 40 (On agg:- W 96 - 91) 04 April 2013 TTT A W Newcastle 57 Redcar 38 07 April 2013 TTT H W Newcastle 58 Redcar 36 (On agg:- W 115 - 74) (stats courtesy of John Eyre)

Just to add a few words of my own. Richard is 100% Scunthorpe Speedway through-and-through, as is his wife Anne. I know this can't be a decision that he's taken lightly. But at the end of the day, there's only a certain number of hours in a day. Anyone who has seen one of the amateur meetings at Scunny (and the scale of them) can appreciate the amount of work that goes into such a meeting, with sometimes 50+ riders in a meeting. And that's only one of the many jobs that Richard does for Scunny. He'll always have the satisfaction of team managing his hometown club to the 2012 Premier League championship - he was beaming like a Cheshire Cat that night! Scunthorpe Speedway (and British Speedway for that matter, few people do as much for young riders as Richard) is lucky to have such a passionate and committed person as Richard Hollingsworth at the club. All the best Rob Peasley

HOLLINGSWORTH STEPS DOWN SCUNTHORPE Speedway Promoter Rob Godfrey has announced that Richard Hollingsworth has stepped down from team managing duties for the Scunthorpe Scorpions. Godfrey said: “Quite simply Richard was doing too much and he decided something had to give. I fully understand his decision because he does so much for this club. Nothing else will change and he will continue to organise the Saints’ team, the practices and the amateur meetings, along with a multitude of other jobs that go unseen. “Of course we now have the job of finding a replacement, but the important thing is that Richard will remain involved with the club.” After making the announcement Hollingsworth confirmed: “It is with a heavy heart that I am stepping down. “It has been a tremendous honour and a privilege to manage my hometown club and I have been very lucky to be at the helm when it all came together for the Premier League title last year. “If team manager was my only role at the club, I wouldn’t be making this decision, but I feel losing this aspect of my duties makes the most sense for both the club and me. “I am still extremely passionate about the club and, in particular, the opportunities we offer to riders. I will be able to focus my energies on that, whilst I’m sure the Scorpions are still set for a good season whoever becomes team manager. “I have enjoyed working with the riders and, I believe, the current set is a tremendously talented bunch that will be there or thereabouts when the trophies are dished out at the end of the season.” The Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions may not have to wait that long for silverware, as on Friday night (7.30pm start) at the Eddie Wright Raceway, they face the Newcastle Diamonds in the first leg of the Premier Shield.

Castleford Kings 15 – Liam Rumsey 4 (3), Lee Springthorpe 2+1 (3), Max Clegg 9 (3) (MAXIMUM), Freddie Owen 0 (3). Milton Keynes Knights 21 – Conor Dwyer 0 (1), Sam Woods 6+2 (4), Nathan Greaves 7 (3), Danny Phillips 8+2 (4). 1: (Re-run) Woods, Rumsey, Springthorpe, Dwyer (fell, excluded), 68.63 (3-3) (3-3). 2: Clegg, Greaves, Phillips, Owen, 61.68 (3-3) (6-6). 3: Greaves, Phillips, Rumsey, Springthorpe, 61.47 (1-5) (7-11). 4: Clegg, Phillips, Woods, Owen, 61.44 (3-3) (10-14). 5: Phillips, Woods, Springthorpe, Owen (ret), 63.13 (1-5) (11-19). 6: Clegg, Greaves, Rumsey, Woods, 60.59 (4-2) (15-21). All the best Rob

Hi Main Man,, Danny Phillips took Connor Dwyer's ride in Heat 4, not Nathan Greaves. Nathan Greaves finished second in Heat 6, not Sam Woods. Correct MK scorechart: Conor Dwyer FX (0) San Woods 3 1* 2* 0 (6+2) Nathan Greaves 2 3 2 (7) Danny Phillips 1* 2* 2 3 (8-2) All the best Rob

Scunny by 1 would be better All the best Rob

Danny Halsey in for the injured Josh Bates at Leicester. No update on Josh's ankle injury as yet, but in the meantime, he's ruled out of tonight. All the best Rob

Phil, he was going off to hospital for an X-ray on his ankle. Fingers crossed it's just bruised and swollen, rather than broken. Hopefully there will be a positive update tomorrow. All the best Rob

BUSY WEEK FOR SCORPIONS HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions are involved in three meetings in as many days this week, which will decide their fate in this year’s League Cup. In the middle fixture of the three, the Scorpions entertain Sheffield Tigers in a local derby encounter at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday evening (7.30pm). Sandwiching that home match are visits away to Sheffield on Thursday and Leicester on Saturday. The League Cup is split into four regional sections, with the winners of each section progressing to the semi-finals later in the season. The Scorpions won their opening fixture on Good Friday with a 46-44 victory over the Leicester Lions, while Leicester defeated Sheffield 47-43 on Easter Saturday. The remaining Sheffield v Leicester meeting takes place on Thursday, April 11th. Scorpions’ team manager Richard Hollingsworth said: “We will approach one meeting at a time. We’re more than capable of winning all three meetings; we’ve won at both Sheffield and Leicester in the last couple of years. “Ideally, to put ourselves in a strong position to qualify for the semi-finals, we need to beat Sheffield at home on Friday, and win at least one of the two away matches. “There’s also local pride on the line for the Sheffield clashes. “Up until last season, we always saw Sheffield as a big brother – a successful local team, who had been established for longer than us, had more success than us, and also held the upper hand in clashes between the two sides. “But we turned the tables on them in the two Premier League meetings in 2012. “For the first time ever, we went to Sheffield and beat them – it was a fantastic feeling because we have a lot of respect for the Sheffield promotion and we knew it was no mean feat to get one over them at their place. We ended the season as Premier League champions, while Sheffield only just avoided the wooden spoon. “Sheffield will want revenge this week, whilst we want to beat them home and away again!” The narrow win against Leicester last week was a real team effort, with every member of the Scorpions team coming up with vital points at one point or another during the meeting. “We just need a little more consistency”, said Hollingsworth. “All the boys had good races. But, apart from Josh Auty, each of the lads also had at least one pointless outing. However, I'm sure nearly all of them were from the middle gate positions. I'm sure, as we move to evening meetings, there will be a bit more dirt created and, in turn, we will get even more passing than we saw last week. “I was delighted by the performances of the two reserves, Ryan Douglas and Josh Bates, in the Leicester meeting. “The Premier League is a very tough league; every rider in the Premier League is a good rider. To come into the league for the first time is tough for a youngster. “But we saw real signs of what is to come from both Ryan and Josh. It was a beautiful ride around the outside by Ryan on the first lap of Heat 12, and once he hit the front, there was no catching him. And Lasse Bjerre put Josh under real pressure in Heat 7, but Josh fended him off for a fine second place. “With those two lads, we don’t put them under any pressure, we just let them get on with it and see what they can do. This week will be a new challenge for them, with their first two away meetings with the Scorpions. They will have the backing of the rest of the side.” Meanwhile, the Scunthorpe management would like to send their best wishes to Leicester’s Adam Roynon. Roynon competed in the meeting at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Good Friday. Both he and Josh Auty then travelled to Brandon for the evening Coventry v Birmingham Elite League fixture. Roynon took a heavy fall in Heat 14, and Auty found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, and was unable to miss the stricken rider in front of him. Roynon was rushed to hospital with a head injury. But the good news was that, within a day of the accident, Roynon was conscious and active on his Twitter account from the hospital. Hollingsworth said: “It was a shock to learn of Adam’s injury, just a few hours after he had been riding at the Eddie Wright Raceway. “Fortunately, there was soon some good news in that he was awake and posting on Twitter. He’s a nice lad, and everyone at Scunthorpe wishes Adam a speedy recovery.” Teams for Friday (English unless stated): Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Josh Auty, 2. Thomas Jørgensen (Denmark), 3. Michael Palm Toft (Denmark), 4. Ashley Birks, 5. David Howe, 6. Josh Bates, 7. Ryan Douglas (Australia). Sheffield Tigers: 1. Simon Stead, 2. Facundo Albin (Argentina), 3. Joe Haines, 4. Richard Hall, 5. Ricky Wells (United States), 6. Damien Koppe (Australia), 7. Jake Knight. There is a six-heat Castleford v Milton Keynes Midland Development League fixture in the second half. Scorpions Info Thomas Jørgensen has now scored over 600 points for the club (605 to date). Michael Palm Toft has now scored over 500 points for the club (501 to date). Sheffield Tigers at EWR Ave Ave Best Name Lge M R Pts BP (no BP) (w BP) Performance Facundo Albin DEBUT PL MEETING @ EWR Joe Haines PL 13 57 83 6 5.82 6.25 16 from 6 rides (inc 4 pts T/R (2009)) Richard Hall PL 41 188 350 23 7.45 7.94 17 from 6 rides (2008) Jake Knight DEBUT PL MEETING @ EWR Damien Koppe DEBUT PL MEETING @ EWR Simon Stead DEBUT PL MEETING @ EWR Ricky Wells PL 7 32 44 7 5.50 6.38 8 + 3 from 5 rides (2012) Other Notes Facundo Albin 2011 Argentinean Champion. Riding in his debut PL season. Joe Haines Has ridden for the Scunthorpe Scorpions at both Premier and Conference League levels. Member of Scunthorpe's 2007 Conference League Championship, KO Cup and Trophy Winning Teams. Member of Workington's Premier League Four-Team Championship and Young Shield Winning Teams in 2008. Member of Wolverhampton's Elite Shield Winning Teams in 2010 and 2011. Richard Hall Has had two spells riding for the Scunthorpe Scorpions at Premier League level. Member of Peterborough's Elite League Championship Winning Team in 2006. Member of Peterborough's Elite League Shield Winning Team in 2007. Jake Knight Made National League debut in 2009 for King's Lynn. Riding in his debut PL season and will also ride in the National League with King's Lynn Young Stars. Damien Koppe Finished second to Steve Jones in an Amateur Meeting held in October 2012 at EWR. Riding in his debut PL season. Simon Stead Three times British Under-21 Champion (2001 to 2003). Youth Development League Riders Champion 1988. Has ridden in 4 GP's and 5 World Cup Tournaments including 3 Finals. League Championship Winner with Peterborough II in 1997. Member of Peterborough's Premier League Championship Winning Team in 1998. Member of Sheffield's Premier League Championship and Young Shield Winning Teams in 1999 and 2002. Member of Sheffield's Premier Trophy Winning Team in 2001 and KO Cup Winning Team in 2002. Three times Premier League Fours Winner (1999/2000 with Sheffield and 2004 with Workington). Member of Workington's Premier League Pairs Winning Duo in 2003. Member of Belle Vue's Elite League Pairs Winning Duo in 2006. Member of Belle Vue's Elite League KO Cup Winning Team in 2005. Member of Coventry's Elite League Craven Shield Winning Team in 2008. Member of Swindon's Elite League Winning Team in 2012. Named as a 'doubling-up' rider with King's Lynn for the 2013 Elite League season. Ricky Wells 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. 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 Sheffield Tigers' 2013 Results 28 March 2013 CH H L Sheffield 30 Birmingham 60 30 March 2013 LC A L Sheffield 43 Leicester 47 (stats courtesy of John Eyre)

Match report now added to Scunny website. All the best Rob

I will be posting a full match report - including interviews with Rebecca Parnaby and Olly Greenwood - on the Scunny website in the morning. In short, the Saints recovered from a six-point deficit, with a fine paid maximum from Ryan Douglas. All the best Rob

What a shame!!! I was looking forward to the hundreds of pages of complaints for late-arriving tickets again, for those daft enough to buy their tickets in advance when there's always tickets on sale on the day!!!! All the best Rob

RETURN OF THE SAINTS THE teams have been confirmed for the second meeting of the Good Friday double-header at the Eddie Wright Raceway. Following the Scunthorpe Scorpions v Leicester Lions League Cup match (start-time 3pm), the Scunthorpe Saints will take to the track in the first of a series of National League challenge matches, entertaining a Long Eaton select side. Saints’ team manager Stuart Parnaby said: “It’s great to keep the Saints team alive, even if we aren’t running in the league. “It will give opportunities for riders to complete in meetings of a National League standard at Scunthorpe. Hopefully we can get in the odd away meeting in as well.” Parnaby praised Scorpions’ team manager Richard Hollingsworth’s determination in making sure the Saints took to the track in 2013 in one capacity or another. “When Rob (Godfrey, Scunthorpe promoter) made the difficult decision to pull the Saints out of the National League on financial grounds, it hit Richard the hardest out of all of us”, he revealed. “We were all disappointed – Rob, Rebecca (Stuart’s wife and Saints’ co-team manager) and myself. But Richard was really gutted. He co-ordinates the amateur meetings and practice sessions at Scunthorpe, and the disappearance of the Saints left a big hole. “I take my hat off to him, for putting together a plan which would enable the Saints to continue in challenge matches. This is Richard’s baby.” Parnaby - who will also be down the pits for Scorpions’ meetings as the mechanic for Thomas Jorgensen and Ryan Douglas - is looking forward to the Saints’ first meeting. “We’ve got a tremendous team out for the Saints. We’re at the start of the season, so both Scorpions’ reserves Ryan Douglas and Josh Bates will be riding for us, to get in a bit more practice. “Oliver Greenwood, Max Clegg and Danny Phillips need no introduction, as they all rode for the Saints regularly in 2012. Danny hasn’t got a National League team this season as yet, so this is a chance for him to go out, score a few points, and if one of the NL teams suddenly needs a new rider, maybe they will look in his direction.” The Saints team is completed by Adam Kirby, a member of the Scunthorpe Stags Midland Development League team in 2012, plus a new name – Matt Williamson. Williamson has already turned a few heads by qualifying for the final of the British Under-21 Final at Wolverhampton. Parnaby said: “Matt is no stranger to Scunthorpe. He’s ridden at Scunthorpe a few times already – in the amateur meetings. He’s riding for Buxton in the National League this year, and this gives him the chance of some extra competitive rides.” Teams for Good Friday: Scunthorpe Saints: 1. Ryan Douglas, 2. Matt Williamson, 3. Oliver Greenwood, 4. Max Clegg, 5. Josh Bates, 6. Danny Phillips, 7. Adam Kirby. Long Eaton Select: 1. Lee Dicken, 2. Lee Geary, 3. Shane Waldron, 4. Luke Chessell, 5. Ben Morley, 6. Nathan Greaves, 7. Conor Dywer. Double Header Admission Prices: Adult: £16.00 Student/OAP: £14.00 Child (10 - 16): £5.00 Child (0 - 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult) Family Ticket £37 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-16) Match Programme: £1.00