Speedway: Great Scott takes title

May 12 2008 The Journal

AUSTRALIAN Scott James blew the opposition apart last night at the Newcastle Stadium to win the Sapphire Engineering Junior Championships.

The 23-year-old went through the card unbeaten in his five races, compiling his 15 points in a workmanlike fashion, generally seeing off his opponents within the opening laps of his heats, although his gold medal could not be claimed until the final race of the night.

James was up against Scunthorpe Stags’ Jonathan Bethell, who went into heat 20 on 10 points, and Weymouth’s Luke Priest – who was on nine points and still within reach of a podium place – in the decider.

But it was the power of James that saw him jet around the second bend to pass Bethell at speed with Priest stuck in third.

Redcar’s Martin Emerson also looked an early contender but fell in a critical heat five.

FINAL STANDINGS: Scott James 15, Jonathan Bethell 12, Paul Starke 12, Brendan Johnson 11, Scott Richardson 11, Steven Jones 9, Luke Priest 9, Martin Emerson 7, Mike Pickering 6, Johnnie Grey 6, Kieron Morris 5, David Wallinger 5, Jitendra Duffill 4, Guy Kendrew 4, Gary Irving 2, Scott Meakins 1.