Scunthorpe race to record league win.

After five consecutive rain-offs and four weeks without taking to the track the Lincs FM Scorpions came back with a bang. They destroyed the Newport Mavericks with a final score of 75-15 and it was the very first time that a team had scored maximum points in the Conference League.

There were fifteen races at the Scunthorpe Raceway and fifteen times the Lincs FM Scorpions finished the race in first and second place to give every single rider a paid maximum score. There were several good races along the way as the Mavericks' trio of Karlis Ezergailis, Billy Legg and Karl Mason were able to compete with all the Scorpions. However, there was several races when the two Scunthorpe riders rode together to make it even harder for the Newport riders to pass.

Whilst all Scunthorpe riders were unbeaten it was an extra-special day for four of the team. Tai Woffinden achieved the feat on his league debut, Josh Auty scored his first league maximum in only his fourth meeting, Andrew Tully scored his first maximum for the club in only his fifth meeting whilst Byron Bekker scored his first home maximum after scoring one away in his very first meeting for the club.

As for the senior members of the team, Wayne Carter, Benji Compton and Richie Dennis, they deserve great praise for the way in which they helped their teammates during the meeting. Their team-riding skills undoubtedly helped the team to the record but it all looked like it would fail at the last hurdle when both Carter and Dennis were headed. Whilst Carter found his way to the front, Dennis went backwards and with the crowd desperate to see the record achieved he was at the back with a lap and a half remaining. However, Dennis managed to pass Billy Legg and with half a lap remaining he caught and passed Newport's Australian number one, Karlis Ezergailis to send the crowd into raptures.

There was a big crowd at the Scunthorpe Raceway after three weekends without speedway and they were sent home truly believing that the Lincs FM Scorpions can win some league honours in 2006. The Mavericks used Goxhill-based 15-year old Ben Thompson in place of the injured Tim Webster who twisted a knee on Friday night at Plymouth.

The Scorpions are back on track next Sunday, 4th June, in league action against the Boston Barracuda-Braves at the slightly later start time of 5pm (rider parade 4.45pm). The later start is to allow riders and fans to make their way back from Cardiff where the British Speedway Grand Prix will take place in the Millennium Stadium on Saturday night.