Scorpions 49 Eagles 41 Meeting Report

Eastbourne Eagles slipped to a 49-41 defeat tonight (June 4) at Scunthorpe in the Championship.

The visiting riders struggled with tyres all night and that cost vital points.

Team manager Trevor Geer said: “We could have easily got some points. We should have done.

“We were inconsistent.

“Tom Brennan got going good at the end and deserved to be in heat 15.

“We had problems with tyres which were completely disintegrating throughout the meeting. That cost a few points.

“The treads were stripping off.

“Kyle Newman had an easy second place and the tyre blew about 20 yards from the line. He was lucky to stay on but lost his place and that became a 5-1 against us.

“Most of our team seemed to have problems but I looked round at the Scunthorpe riders and theirs were not too bad.

“Why that is, I don’t know.

“The tyres that we had were definitely not up to scratch.”

Geer said it was a shame Drew Kemp was unavailable [riding on Saturday for Team GB in the World U-19 Pairs Final in Poland].

The Eagles gave a Championship debut to Nathan Ablitt.

“He did not disgrace himself, whatsoever,” said Geer. “He was fighting for points and pushing the whole way.”

Scorers:

Scunthorpe: Josh Auty 5 (4), Simon Lambert 8 (4), Theo Pijper 7+2 (5), Tero Aarnio 10+1 (5), Thomas Jorgensen 7+1 (4), Josh MacDonald 1 (3), Jordan Palin 11+1 (5)

Eastbourne: Edward Kennett 6+1 (4), Tom Brennan 7 (5), Kyle Newman 5+1 (4), Lewi Kerr 9+1 (5), Richard Lawson 12+1 (5), Jason Edwards 2 (3), Nathan Ablitt 0 (4).

Here’s how Kevin Ling saw the match unfold

Heat 1: Superb gate from Edward Kennett. He led from Simon Lambert throughout with Josh Auty chasing hard. Tom Brennan continued to press and his industry paid off as he popped past Auty on the line. 2-4, time 58.79

Heat 2: Comfortable win for Jordan Palin but a furious race going on behind him. Josh MacDonald looked to have it in the bag but a lapse on bend two of lap two allowed Jason Edwards through. They traded places once more but Jason bagged the second with Josh third and Nathan Ablitt not far away. 2-4 6-6, 59.06

Heat 3: An all the way win for Theo Pijper, Lewi Kerr second with Kyle Newman restricting the ever pressing Tero Aarnio for a share of the spoils. 3-3 ,9-9, 58.76

Heat 4: Fine gate by Palin who led out of bend two. Lawson took the lead down back straight in superb style with Thomas Jorgensen romping through as well to apply pressure on Rich. That was how it stayed – a 3-3 but Nathan still gave a fine account of himself. 12-12, 58.68

Heat 5: Great race but sadly though one that went the way of of the Scorpions. Aarnio took a flying win and Pijper held on to deny a determined effort by Kennett. Brennan was well in the mix but went wide on final turn out of bend four, second lap, and out of contention. 5-1, 17-13, 59.22

Heat 6: Another fine start for Lawson but have to say Lambert was brilliant in taking the lead around the outside heading into lap two. Auty followed in close attendance throughout. Edwards was never far from the action but a 4-2 to the Scorpions. 21-15, 58.29

Heat 7: Jorgensen all the way as a great race went on behind between Newman, Kerr and Macdonald and that was how it finished. Josh MacDonald particularly looked good and seemed to be on for the 5-1 but Kyle and Lewi passed him in quick succession. 3-3, 24-18, 58.77

Heat 8: Very much all change – Brennan gated to lead Lambert with Ablitt fending off Palin. Lambert looked classy in picking off Tom heading into lap 2, Palin did likewise against Nathan; 4-2 to the hosts. 28-20, 59.88

Heat 9: Lawson and Kerr looked to have a 5-1 in their sights – but Aarnio produced a terrific final lap to pass Richard on back straight and then Lewi to win by half a wheel in the run in. I’m obviously partisan and see things with an Eagles viewpoint but no denying it was a brilliant ride. 3-3, 31-23, 59.52

Heat 10: Once again the Eagles looked set for a potential maximum points from Kerr and Newman. Auty got the better of Newman for second and then Lambert appeared to do likewise. Lewi secured the win from Auty but Kyle swooped inside Lambert on the final bend to bag an Eagles 4-2, 33-27, 59.77

Heat 11: Brennan all the way and Kennett overcame Jorgensen early on and that 5- 1 took the score to 34-32, 59.62

Heat 12: A close race but Scunthorpe overcame early adversity with Palin in the lead and then joined by Pijper. Newman gave it his best but it ended in a 5-1 for the Scorpions. 39-33, 59.68

Heat 13: Scunthorpe led the early running in the 5-1 position but Lawson breezed past down the back straight to lead – Auty and Jorgensen remained steadfast to block out Kennett’s every attempt to pass. 3-3, 42-36 , 59.56

Heat 14: Lights out for the Eagles sadly – Kerr missed the start and Palin and Aarnio teamed up to secure the 5-1 that sees the hosts come home for the win. Lewi takes the third with Nathan not far away but score now stands at 47-37, time 59.44

Heat 15: Lawson brilliant again to take the win and this time he held on right to the line to deny the ever pressing Aarnio. Brennan also held firm to keep Pijper at bay so a 2-4 to Eagles it finishes but not enough to bag any reward 49-41, 60.04 . A terrific meeting nonetheless with both sides giving their all.

Image Credit: Mike Hinves