Scunthorpe Scorpions v Edinburgh Monarchs

The intention at Scunthorpe was to keep the score close in the first leg of the Premier Trophy semi-final, but we went one better and won the match 46-44.

We were definitely the better team, taking the lead in heat 1 and only once dropping behind (after heat 11). The only reason we did not win much more easily was the powerful scoring of Simon Lambert at reserve for the Scorpions.

The star of the show was Ryan Fisher but it was actually a 7-man team display, one of our best of the season and reminiscent of 2008.

In fact guest Ben Wilson was fastest out of the gate in heat 1, but by the time the riders reached the third bend both Fisher and Rajkowski had barged past, going on to complete a 5-1. It?s a lovely way to start and we set out to retain that lead.

It was new man Bekker who did a good job in heat 2, splitting Lambert and Hart, while Aaron Summers was worryingly tailed off.

Thomas made a fine return to the team by blasting away from gate 1 to win heat 3, and with Matthew Wethers picking up the point we regained our 4-point lead. It was Adam Allott who split our riders and the normally impressive Wilkinson was at the back.

Heat 4, another race win as Andrew Tully flew from gate 4 on a track he knows so well to head David Howe. And we made it four race wins out of 5 when Ryan Fisher took the next one, with the Raj just missing out after an exciting tussle for the minor places. This heat was stopped twice for fliers with Fisher on Jonasson?s bike for the first two attempts.

Ben Wilson came to life to beat Andrew in heat 6 with Aaron again well back, but we were still 2 points up.

We comfortably shared heat 7 behind David Howe but the Scorpions soon drew level as danger man Lambert won heat 8. The Raj took a second and Byron was well in the mix lying third for a while before being overhauled by Bergstrom.

The danger was that we would now fall away, but we needn?t have worried - Aaron got himself going to lead all the way in heat 9 with Andrew shepherding. It was some change from the no. 6.

Thomas seemed to struggle with his machine in heat 10 in which Matthew split the home riders.

We went from two up to 2 down in heat 11. Ryan got what seemed like a flier, but he was so shocked that he lost the lead going down the back straight with Howe and Lambert going either side of him. For the rest of the thrilling race he chased fiercely, getting in between the home men on a few occasions, and he seemed to have grabbed second on the line though the ref did not give him it.

So we were behind for the first and only time in the match.

Riding to the rescue this time were Jonasson and Summers with our third 5-1 of the night. Remember how we always had the men for the moment in our last championship year?

Next came heat 13 and it was memorable. Wilson and Howe were the leaders most of the way with Fisher setting up a mind-boggling chase which involved going at incredible speed very wide and somehow avoiding the fence. He finally got ahead on the last lap, lost the lead again to Wilson and then regained it on the run to the line.

It was unbelievable, deservedly praised by the very fair meeting presenter.

Lambert won heat 14 so we went in to the last heat two points up. Again Fisher was the hero, leading all the way this time, though Thomas almost took third from Lambert.

So the result means we SHOULD make the final, but we are not a club to count any chickens. Job well done - so far.

Scunthorpe Scorpions v Edinburgh Monarchs

Following a hard fought victory over Kings Lynn last night, the Scotwaste Monarchs head south to face the Scunthorpe Scorpions in the first leg of the Premier Trophy semi final.

Monarchs have visited the Eddie Wright Raceway twice now with varying levels of success. An eventually easy win in 2008 (53-39) was followed by a narrow defeat earlier this campaign (44-49). One thing?s for certain, if we?re to have any chance of holding on to our trophy, we must keep things as close as possible for the second leg on July 24.

Probably the biggest news surrounding this fixture is the return of Thomas H Jonasson to the Monarchs? fold. It may be brief but it?s most certainly welcome. We?ve missed the young Swede in recent weeks and it is hoped he can produce a top performance in this one, although that?s far from certain as his highest score down yonder is ?only? 7+1. Amazingly, that is also Matthew Wethers? highest Scunthorpe score, although neither rider has ever looked unimpressive.

The other news comes in the shape of Byron Bekker who rode against us for the Scorpions earlier in the season. He makes his debut tonight (last night was technically as a National League guest) so let?s hope he rolls up to the correct side of the pits!

Bekker was dropped during Scunthorpe?s attempts to strengthen up. A promising start to the season had faded away somewhat when the Promotion decided to use up their points available. Firstly, axed Newport rider Nick Simmons was introduced and then, almost instantly, Simmons himself was booted out in favour of Adam Allott in a move which also allowed Simon Lambert to drop down to the reserve berth. I for one applaud them on making such a move, although it seems some fans couldn?t quite understand the ?brutality? of the decisions taken. It appears we?re a country full of weak minded individuals nowadays!

Both sides have potentially powerful scorers in their ranks. The home side can boast a Monarchs? Legend (Magnus Karlsson) and a ?nearly Monarch? (David Howe), while we have ex-Scorpion Andrew Tully and spectacular American Ryan Fisher. Tully has certainly shown a liking for the EWR, having notched up 14+1 and 16 on his last 2 visits although Fisher has been slightly less consistent, scoring 13+1 and 5+1.

Elsewhere, the middle order and lower regions of both sides appear pretty well matched. Certainly Viktor Bergstrom looked very impressive in May, while Carl Wilkinson is your typical all action competitor. Key men for the Monarchs will probably be Michal Rajkowski, who rode and scored well last time, and Aaron Summers who grabbed at least a point from each of his 4 outings in the number 2 race jacket. With a potential for 7 rides tonight, his final tally could prove pivotal.

Whatever happens, let?s hope for an enjoyable evening and, as always, may the best team win...

Line-ups (as stated on the Scunthorpe website):

Scorpions: Magnus Karlsson, Viktor Bergstrom, Adam Allott, Carl Wilkinson, David Howe, Jerran Hart, Simon Lambert.

Monarchs: Ryan Fisher, Thomas H Jonasson, Matthew Wethers, Andrew Tully, Michal Rajkowski, Aaron Summers, Byron Bekker.