Speedway: Diamonds’ rivals have familiar look

Apr 4 2008 by Lawrence Heppell, The Journal

NEWCASTLE Diamonds are on Premier Trophy duties tonight at the home of the Premier League’s newest side, the Scunthorpe Scorpions, in a match trembling with razor-sharp rivalry.

Of the seven Scorpions on track tonight at their Normanby Road circuit, no fewer than four are former Newcastle riders, most notably Carl Wilkinson, who was a 2007 Diamond with a keen ability to score well in needle matches.

Former Diamond Richard Hall also lines up for the home side tonight. He has improved considerably and is now a real force to be reckoned with, along with former Newcastle Gems from the Conference League days, Byron Bekker and Benji Compton.

The Diamonds are riding high on a wave of success following last weekend’s 63-27 win over Sheffield. Skipper Christian Henry, Josef Franc and George Stancl are expected to lead the visitors’ scoring, ably backed up by Jason King and maximum man from Sunday, Ben Powell.

All seven Diamonds team members experienced the Scunthorpe track before the season began, with a three-hour practice session at Normanby Road.

Newcastle co-promoter and team manager George English said: “We are expecting a hard match tonight from these Scorpions but all our riders are of the full belief we can go there, race well and come away with a positive result, and I’ve no reason to doubt them. It is a big match full of rivalry, as there is such a strong Newcastle connection on track and off.

“My counterpart for Scunthorpe is one-time Newcastle associate team manager, Kenny Smith, and we both want to get one over the other, which should make for an interesting evening.”

The return Premier Trophy match is at Newcastle Stadium this Sunday at 5.30pm.

SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS: Andy Moore, Magnus Karlsson, Richard Hall, Viktor Bergstrom (injury permitting), Carl Wilkinson, Byron Bekker and Benji Compton.

NEWCASTLE DIAMONDS: Christian Henry (Capt.), Ben Powell, Josef Franc, Jason King, George Stancl, Jamie Robertson and Sean Stoddart.