SCORPIONS WIN BRUISING BATTLE

SCUNTHORPE snatched a dramatic 46-44 win at Berwick to make it three out of three in the Cab Direct Championship so far this season.

It was a bruising clash at Shielfield Park with the Scorpions losing both Michael Palm Toft (suspected broken collarbone) and Nathan Ablitt (knee) in a Heat 6 crash when Palm Toft suffered a chain failure on the first bend.

And the Bandits had their own problems as Jye Etheridge was ruled out with concussion after coming to grief in Heat 5.

Scunthorpe led by two points going into Heat 15 but the Bandits held a 5-1 to turn the meeting around, until Kyle Howarth and Connor Mountain forced their way past Drew Kemp on lap two for a 3-3 to win it for the Scorpions.

Mountain kept up his good form with 11+1 and skipper Simon Lambert scored 10, whilst Schlein (14) and Kemp (11) led the way for the home side.

Scunthorpe captain Kyle Howarth said: “We won because of a whole team performance tonight, and fair play to young Luke (Harrison) at reserve, because his points played a big part in our victory.

“We’ve had a run of three home meetings recently, and winning those well have allowed us to catch a bit of form.  It’s always a big boost to go and win away, while the atmosphere around the team is really good.

“It’s never nice to see riders injured, and I wish a speedy recovery to the riders who got hurt tonight.”

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Photo credit: TAZ McDOUGALL