Birmingham Brummies v Scunthorpe Scorpions

BIRMINGHAM secured their first victory of the season with a 49-41 win over Scunthorpe at Perry Barr.

Ryan Douglas was outstanding for the Scorpions with 17 points from six rides but he lacked consistent support as the Brummies produced a more solid performance.

Guest Kyle Howarth top-scored for the hosts with 12+1, and Adam Ellis picked up 11+1, with their 3-3 behind Douglas in Heat 15 ensuring the Scorpions would fall short of a league point.

Birmingham boss Laurence Rogers said: “That was just what we wanted and just what we needed. That win is such a big boost for the lads.

“It was a good, all-round team performance and our season has well and truly started here.”

Scunthorpe manager Dave Peet said: “It was a frustrating night for us. We were chasing it all the way through. We just didn’t have any consistent back up to Ryan Douglas, who was again brilliant.

“We just couldn’t get heat advantages to get back into the meeting, while we ran too many last places.

“Heat 14 was probably the race where a point slipped away from us, because I was expecting for us to maybe take a 4-2 from that, but instead Birmingham ended up getting a 4-2 from it. It’s a disappointing result.”

CHAMPIONSHIP
BIRMINGHAM 49: Kyle Howarth 12+1, Adam Ellis 11+1, James Shanes 7+1, Claus Vissing 6+2, Stefan Nielsen 6+2, Ashley Morris 6+1, James Pearson 1.
SCUNTHORPE 41: Ryan Douglas 17, Simon Lambert 8+1, Jordan Palin 5+2, Tero Aarnio 5, Jake Allen 5, Zaine Kennedy 1, Ryan Kinsley 0.

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Photo credit: PAUL ROSE