Bears beaten by superb Scorpions
Redcar were brought back down to earth by Scunthorpe as the “Agilia” Bears were defeated 55-35 at the Eddie Wright Raceway. 3 Scorpions hit paid maximums with Ryan Douglas hitting 14+1 whilst the impressive Connor Bailey top scored for the Bears with 10+1.
Danny King gated in the opening race but then lifted violently exiting bend 2 of the opening lap which allowed Simon Lambert and Ryan Douglas through for a 5-1 to give the hosts the perfect start. Heat 2 saw the Scorpions make the gate but the determined Bailey rounded Connor Mountain and then cleverly passed Nathan Ablitt up the inside on lap 3 to take the win, but with Jake Mulford at the back, Redcar could not make a dent in Scunthorpe’s 4 point advantage.
Heat 3 saw another battle as Steve Worrall plugged away on the inside line to pass a determined Drew Kemp for the win but with Jason Edwards at the rear, Scunthorpe’s lead remained intact. Scunthorpe’s lead was stretched to 6 as Michael Palm-Toft started his evening (which ended with a maximum) with a win whilst Charles Wright dived up the inside of Mountain to prevent a Scorpions maximum.
Redcar brought themselves within 2 points after a superb heat five 5-1 as King took the win whilst Danyon Hume rode impressively to hold off Jake Allen to give Redcar a timely boost. However, Scunthorpe immediately restored their 6 point cushion as Lambert and Douglas both passed Wright (who lifted violently entering lap 1’s backstraight) and despite Wright’s best efforts, he was unable to pass the Scunthorpe duo.
Redcar team boss Gavin Parr opted for his tactical substitute in heat 7 as Danny King (fresh off a heat 5 win) came in to partner Steve Worrall. However, Palm-Toft proved too strong for the Redcar duo as he won the race to keep Scunthorpe 6 ahead. Heat 8 saw a superb scrap with Bailey diving up the inside of both Scorpions on the opening lap but Lambert and Mountain eventually battled past Bailey to take the 5-1 and put the Scorpions into a double figure lead.
Scunthorpe extended their lead to 12 points with a heat nine 4-2 as Jake Allen won but Wright limited the damage for Redcar as he passed Kemp to split the Scunthorpe duo. Lambert completed a 4 ride maximum as he joined Douglas at the front for Scunthorpe’s 4th maximum heat advantage. Heat 11 saw a Scorpions 4-2 despite Redcar initially gating on a 5-1. Danyon Hume took the outside line but ultimately went too wide on bend 3 of lap 1 which allowed Palm-Toft through with the Dane then powering past King on lap 2 for the win whilst Ablitt also passed Hume for a home 4-2 to put Scunthorpe into an unassailable 42-24 lead on the night.
Heat 12 saw some fantastic speedway and something for the Bears support to cheer as they hit a 5-1 of their own as Worrall won from the gate whilst Bailey passed both Scorpions before being re-passed by Kemp but Bailey was not to be denied and he passed Kemp to take the paid win, much to the delight of the large travelling support.
However, the Bears supporters celebrations were not extended to heat 13 as the imperious Douglas was joined by Palm-Toft at the front to restore Scunthorpe’s 18 point lead. Heat 14 saw Connor Bailey produce more heroics for Redcar as he built up speed to nip up the inside of Allen to take the win whilst Jason Edwards took a confidence boosting 3rd place for a Redcar heat advantage.
Heat 15 saw Douglas and Palm-Toft complete their maximum’s as the Scorpions secured a 20 point home win. All in all, the Bears struggled for heat winners against a solid home track side but as in any season, there will be bumps in the road and it is our job to bounce back against the Bandits next Friday at the ECCO Arena.
Scunthorpe Scorpions = 55
1. Ryan Douglas = 14+1 Paid Max
2. Simon Lambert = 10+2 Paid Max
3. Drew Kemp = 4
4. Jake Allen = 7+1
5. Michael Palm Toft = 13+2 Paid Max
6. Nathan Ablitt = 3
7. Connor Mountain = 4+2
Redcar Bears = 35
1. Danny King = 8
2. Danyon Hume = 2+1
3. Steve Worrall (G) = 8
4. Jason Edwards = 1
5. Charles Wright = 6
6. Connor Bailey = 10+1
7. Jake Mulford = 0