Speedway Report: Sheffield Tigers 52 Scunthorpe Scorpions 38

Sheffield head to Scunthorpe on Friday night (7.30) top of their Championship Shield group after staging a brilliant late comeback at Owlerton.
Jason Garrity on the outside of Lasse Bjerre , James Shanes and Gino Manzares Ht 4Jason Garrity on the outside of Lasse Bjerre , James Shanes and Gino Manzares Ht 4
Jason Garrity on the outside of Lasse Bjerre , James Shanes and Gino Manzares Ht 4

The Tigers finished off with six consecutive heat advantages to turn things around and then denied their rivals a consolation point in an entertaining derby.

Scunthorpe drew first blood in heat two before Charles Wright and Todd Kurtz sandwiched former Tiger Josh Auty on the opening bends in the next to claim a 5-1 and edge the hosts in front by two.

Charles Wright leads as Josh Auty Crashes Ht 3Charles Wright leads as Josh Auty Crashes Ht 3
Charles Wright leads as Josh Auty Crashes Ht 3
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But the Scorpions hit back with two maximums of their own to establish a six point lead. Ex Sheffield man Jason Garrity led the first after a super start in the fourth before visiting guest No.1 Richard Lawson barged his way under Wright out of bend four to secure a paid win in the fifth.

But heat-leader duo Kyle Howarth and Lasse Bjerre both bounced back from disappointing last places in their opening rides by taking the chequered flag, leading home a 5-1 and a 4-2 respectively as the scores tied level once again.

The pendulum swung the opposite way once again though as the previously unbeaten Kurtz missed the gate, allowing Stefan Nielsen and Gino Manzares of the visitors the opportunity to pull clear as they moved back in front 26-22.

But a big turning point in the fixture came in heat ten. Jake Allen looked comfortable out front before the Scunthorpe man suffered mechanical gremlins, gifting Howarth and Kurtz a second consecutive 5-1s.

Todd Kurtz leads Stefan Nielsen and Kyle Howarth Ht 1Todd Kurtz leads Stefan Nielsen and Kyle Howarth Ht 1
Todd Kurtz leads Stefan Nielsen and Kyle Howarth Ht 1

And from there on in, the Tigers kicked on.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Bjerre, Wright and Howarth all led home 4-2s before the reigning second tier Champions were able to wrap things up with a race to spare.

Scunthorpe brought Lawson in as a tactical substitute, but to no avail as reserve Jack Smith brought the house down after making a fast start and clamping the opposition down on bend two, allowing Wright to hit the front for another 5-1.

Wright then combined with Howarth in the last for another maximum, sending Scunthorpe back home with nothing to show for their efforts.

Charles Wright leads as Josh Auty Crashes Ht 3Charles Wright leads as Josh Auty Crashes Ht 3
Charles Wright leads as Josh Auty Crashes Ht 3

Thursday’s Scorers:

Sheffield 52: Charles Wright 14+1, Kyle Howarth 12, Todd Kurtz 10+3, Lasse Bjerre 7, Jack Smith 6+1, James Shanes 3+1, Josh Bates R/R.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Scunthorpe 38: Richard Lawson 8+2, Stefan Nielsen 8, Jason Garrity 7, Gino Manzares 5+2, Jake Allen 4, Danny Phillips 3, Josh Auty 3.

Friday’s Teams:

Todd Kurtz leads Stefan Nielsen and Kyle Howarth Ht 1Todd Kurtz leads Stefan Nielsen and Kyle Howarth Ht 1
Todd Kurtz leads Stefan Nielsen and Kyle Howarth Ht 1

Scunthorpe: TBC, Stefan Nielsen, Josh Auty, Jake Allen, Jason Garrity, Danny Phillips, Gino Manzares.

Sheffield: Kyle Howarth, Todd Kurtz, Charles Wright, Josh Bates R/R, Lasse Bjerre, Jack Smith, James Shanes