Jack and Nick stand up to flying Scorpions

Scunthorpe Scorpions   59

R.E.D Bandits, powered by STS      31

Pictures: Ian Rispin

Jack Smith’s best away-day in Bandits’ colours was a rare bright spot in a typically fruitless night in Lincolnshire.

He put a tricky start to the season behind him and really took the fight to the Scorpions, not only gating well but also battling for points from the back when he didn’t. Smith also teamed up with Nick Morris for the 5-1 in heat 12 which proved to be the only advantage for the visitors on a night when Josh Pickering, full, and Michael Palm Toft, paid, completed maximums and the lowest Scorpions’ individual score was paid seven.

And happy Jack could have added more points having fully deserved his heat 15 nomination only to become the second Berwick rider on the evening to find his racing line blocked by the wandering back wheel of teenager Ryan Ingram.

The Scunthorpe reserve also earned himself a last heat ride but was probably lucky that referee Willie Dishington had access to neither local streaming nor camera footage, allowing the home rider the benefit of the doubt after Smith crashed coming out of bend two as he battled with his opposite number.

Ingram earned himself some cooling down laps words of advice from Jye Etheridge – Berwick’s only other race winner – after pulling a similar line off the final bend of heat 11, the Bandits skipper forced to shut off to avoid running into the back wheel of the obviously highly-talented teenager who ended the night with a hugely impressive 11+3 … and a couple of entries into black books for future reference.

It could have been worse for the visitors as Scorpions debutant Dan Gilkes fell on the last bend when set to follow Pickering home for a maximum heat score. A lack of available guest options meant going into the meeting operating rider-replacement for Peter Kildemand. It was always going to be tough and Berwick could ill-afford a night of mechanical gremlins for Lasse Fredriksen.

The Norwegian saw his bike pack up twice in races and was forced to go off 15 metres in heat seven after failing to beat the two-minute allowance. With partner Victor Palovaara also down on power, the middle order pairing were on the end of three of Scunthorpe’s six 5-1s on the night.

Morris was head and shoulders Berwick’s top scorer but he will be a little disappointed not to have stopped the maximum runs of Pickering and Palm Toft, gating on both of them on the night but unable to keep them at bay in either heat 13 or 15.

It’s not unusual for the Bandits to have to dust themselves down and bounce back after a Friday fright night in Lincolnshire.

They will regroup tomorrow knowing that the cavalry in the shape of guests Drew Kemp and Sam Hagon are saddled up and ready to ride in.

A much more balanced side will welcome a Redcar team thumped 36-48 at home by Poole even though the Pirates were without the in-form Cooper Rushden. Bears’ number one Nikolai Klindt managed only five points after scoring an 18-point maximum in the reverse fixture at Wimborne Road.

They will also be looking to bounce back on a track they all ride well but both teams will be determined to open their Cab Direct Championship accounts.

Jordan Jenkins withdrew from the defeat against Poole after three rides and will be replaced by Simon Lambert, released by Scunthorpe last week but still available as a National League guest having signed for King’s Lynn young Stars this season.

Tickets for tomorrow night are on sale Here Cash turnstiles open at 6pm and accompanied under-16s are free. First race 7pm. E-tickets or cash are the only entry options.

Scorpions: Josh Pickering 15, Luke Harrison R/R (3+2), Nathan Ablitt 6+1, Connor Mountain 6+1, Michael Palm Toft 13+2, Ryan Ingram 11+3, Dan Gilkes 8

Bandits: Peter Kildemand R/R (5), Jye Etheridge 6+2, Victor Palovaara 5, Lasse Fredriksen 0, Nick Morris 12, Jack Smith 8+2, Tom Spencer 0