RACEDAY PREVIEW: SCUNTHORPE v BRUMMIES

Friday May 05, 2023
BIRMINGHAM co-owner Nigel Tolley reckons their cup tie at Scunthorpe tonight (Friday, May 5, 7.30) could be much closer than some are anticipating.

The Curtis Sport Brummies trail by two points in their Knockout Cup Quarter-Final having lost their home leg 46-44 at Perry Barr on Wednesday night.

The Second City side did also lose 55-35 away to the Scorpions a fortnight ago in the BSN Series, making the hosts major favourites to progress.

But after being encouraged by an improved home display a couple of days ago, Tolley thinks his riders have got what it takes to push Scunthorpe at the Eddie Wright Raceway.

"We never go anywhere thinking that we can't win a meeting - if you thought like that there'd be no point going in the first place," Tolley said.

"I think it's going to be a lot closer than a lot of people from the outside are expecting.

"We're certainly not giving up on progressing in the competition and the Brummies will be giving it their all.

"The riders are not just laying back and not caring a damn, they all really want to hit form and win a meeting."

The Curtis Sport Brummies hand a third guest booking of the season to Aussie Zach Cook who has scored 18+3 from his couple of previous outings, including an 8+2 return when he top scored at Scunthorpe last month.

Meanwhile, the hosts hand debuts to Max Clegg and Nathan Ablitt having being forced to replace the injured Zaine Kennedy, with Joe Thompson the unlucky reserve to lose his place, despite scoring an impressive 9+1 against the Brummies on Wednesday night.

SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS: Ryan Douglas, Simon Lambert, Max Clegg, Jake Allen, Michael Palm Toft, Nathan Ablitt, Connor Mountain.
CURTIS SPORT BIRMINGHAM BRUMMIES: Nick Morris, Alfie Bowtell, Zach Cook, Stefan Nielsen, Justin Sedgmen, Ty Proctor, James Pearson.

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