Scunthorpe Scorpions v Poole Pirates

SCUNTHORPE lead the Cab Direct Championship Grand Final by eight points heading to Poole on Wednesday after a 49-41 home win in the first leg.

The Scorpions led the opener at the Eddie Wright Raceway throughout, racing into a ten-point lead after Heat 7 thanks to two early 5-1s.

However, the defending champions hit back and a big maximum advantage in Heat 12 saw them narrow the gap to four.

Scunthorpe then rebuilt an advantage as Michael Palm Toft won Heat 14 with key reserve Ryan Ingram third, and there was then another 4-2 in the last race from Josh Pickering and Palm Toft.

Pickering scored 13+1, dropping his only point to youngster Cooper Rushen in Heat 10, whilst Palm Toft notched 13 and was unbeaten until Heat 15. Ingram racked up 10+1 from six rides.

The Pirates were limited to four race wins with Zach Cook scoring 8+1 whilst Rushen picked up 7+2.

Scorpions manager David Howe said: “I said to the lads in the team talk before that the thing about Poole is they keep coming at you.

“We had plenty of heat winners but not quite enough heat advantages. We’ve got a bit of a lead, and it is what it is.”

Poole boss Neil Middleditch said: “The boys had a good fightback and it’s been a great meeting. Fair play to Scunthorpe, they are a hell of a team around here.

“It’s the first time I’ve been here and I’m very impressed with the racetrack, and the Scunthorpe boys have really got it dialled in. I’m happy to be where we are.”

CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND FINAL, 1st leg
SCUNTHORPE 49: Josh Pickering 13+1, Michael Palm Toft 13, Ryan Ingram 10+1, Luke Harrison 7+1, Connor Mountain 5+1, Nathan Ablitt 1, Jacob Hook 0.
POOLE 41: Zach Cook 8+1, Cooper Rushen 7+2, Lewis Kerr 7+1, Richard Lawson 6+1, Slater Lightcap 6+1, Will Cairns 6, Kyle Newman 1+1.

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Photo credit: IAN RISPIN