BRITISH SPEEDWAY OCTOBER 3, 2026
(SPEEDWAY 1)
SCORPIONS’ GRAND FINAL POINTS ADVANTAGE
SCUNTHORPE lead the Cab Direct Championship Grand Final by eight points heading to Poole on Wednesday after a 49-41 home win in a terrific first leg encounter.
The Scorpions led the opener at the Eddie Wright Raceway throughout, racing into a ten-point lead after Heat 7 thanks to two early 5-1s.
However, the defending champions hit back and a big maximum advantage in Heat 12 saw them narrow the gap to four.
Scunthorpe then rebuilt an advantage as Michael Palm Toft won Heat 14 with key reserve Ryan Ingram third, and there was then another 4-2 in the last race from Josh Pickering and Palm Toft.
Pickering scored 13+1, dropping his only point to youngster Cooper Rushen in Heat 10, whilst Palm Toft notched 13 and was unbeaten until Heat 15. Ingram racked up 10+1 from six rides.
The Pirates were limited to four race wins with Zach Cook scoring 8+1 whilst Rushen picked up 7+2.
Scorpions manager David Howe said: “I said to the lads in the team talk before that the thing about Poole is they keep coming at you.
“We had plenty of heat winners but not quite enough heat advantages. We’ve got a bit of a lead, and it is what it is.”
Poole boss Neil Middleditch said: “The boys had a good fightback and it’s been a great meeting. Fair play to Scunthorpe, they are a hell of a team around here.
“It’s the first time I’ve been here and I’m very impressed with the racetrack, and the Scunthorpe boys have really got it dialled in. I’m happy to be where we are.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
OXFORD charged up to second in the WSRA NDL table with a 58-32 win over Buxton in their final fixture of the season.
The home side had started the meeting bottom, but a convincing victory saw them secure match and aggregate points.
Jody Scott scored a 15-point maximum with Darryl Ritchings (11+1) unbeaten from four rides, whilst Harry Fletcher added 10+3 and Senna Summers scored 10.
The Bulls weren’t helped by the withdrawal of No.1 Alfie Bowtell after a Heat 5 crash, with Jack Roberts top scoring on nine points.
Fletcher said: “It was nice to get my first Heat 15, although it was a shame that I just missed out on my first paid maximum. But I had plenty of good races tonight and scored a lot of points.”
Buxton boss Laurence Rogers said: “Losing Alfie in his second ride left us up against it. He is so influential and has been consistent all season for us and is normally good for double figures, and losing him was a cruel blow for us.
“The lads gave their all, and I couldn’t have asked for any more from the team. We now have to turn our attentions to Sunday’s final meeting of the season against Leicester and hope that we are able to continue our good home form.”
(FIXTURES)
SUNDAY OCTOBER 4:
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Buxton (29) v Leicester (61) 3pm
TUESDAY OCTOBER 6:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R2: Northampton (45) v King’s Lynn (45) 7.30
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 7:
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND FINAL 2nd leg: Poole (41) v Scunthorpe (49) 7.30
