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Last Updated: Nov 28th, 2010 - 10:22:29 |
Viktor Bergström, one of the Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions two Swedish riders, went unbeaten by an opponent in six races last night as he helped lead the side to a comprehensive 62-30 victory over the Glasgow Tigers.
Bergström’s fifteen points (plus three bonus points) saw him top score in his first meeting after dropping down to reserve whilst also unbeaten by an opponent was his fellow Scandinavian, Tero Aarnio from Finland, who was limited to four rides after injuring his ribs in a crash four days earlier.
The result, which saw the Scorpions reach the sixty-point tally for the second time in 2010, was just what was required after losing at home to the Sheffield Tigers on Bank Holiday Monday. All seven riders made telling contributions and was a real confidence boost as the side prepare for the Young Shield. In fairness Glasgow’s challenge wasn’t helped by Josh Grajczonek and Joe Screen having to withdraw from the meeting, due to illness and injury respectively, but the remaining Tigers showed plenty of spirit to ensure there was still more than a fair share of quality races.
In fact the early exchanges suggested the meeting could prove to be a close one. Joe Screen passed David Howe in heat 1 to combine with 16-year old Nick Morris for a 4-2 before Viktor Bergström and Jan Graversen evened things up with a 4-2 of their own in the reserves’ race. Despite an engine failure from former Elite League racer Travis McGowan in heat 3 Nick Morris was able to split the Scorpions’ outstanding pairing of Tero Aarnio and Carl Wilkinson before Jake Anderson did the same to Magnus Karlsson and Graversen in heat 4. Josh Grajczonek had ridden up the back of Graversen in the first running and fell heavily. Thankfully no bones were broken but he was badly bruised and unable to continue.
Grajczonek’s inability to continue was perhaps the beginning of the end for Glasgow as the meeting that was poised at 14-10 soon stretched out to 29-13 with three home maximums on the trot. The Aarnio/Wilkinson combination saw off Joe Screen and Darren Mallett in heat 5 before David Howe and Viktor Bergström found their way either side of Jake Anderson on the first lap of the next race. Travis McGowan, who was plying his trade for Swindon last year, was given the tactical ride by stand-in Team Manager Michael Max in heat 7 but Magnus Karlsson led from the tapes and his compatriot Bergström fought his way past McGowan and Nick Morris to all but put paid to Glasgow’s chances of winning the meeting.
The 29-13 scoreline allowed Scunthorpe Team Manager Richard Hollingsworth to give Steve Worrall a second rider replacement ride alongside Jan Graversen but the home reserves conceded a second 4-2 to their opposite numbers with Darren Mallett (who was guest cover for the injured Lee Dicken) becoming the second, and ultimately final, Tiger to take the chequered flag. However, any concern was soon put to rest with a second Aarnio/Wilkinson 5-1 in heat 9. Better was to follow as Steve Worrall re-passed Nick Morris on the opening lap of heat 10 to join David Howe for a 5-1 over Morris and Travis McGowan. Morris passed Worrall coming out of turn two but Worrall made the inside line work on the next turn and he held off the diminutive Aussie for four laps to record his first ‘paid win’ in the Premier League.
Joe Screen was given a tactical ride in heat 11 and with Darren Mallett making a good start the pair looked to be on their way to an 8-1. However, Viktor Bergström had been pushing Mallett throughout the race and he just managed to get around him coming into the penultimate bend. Better was to follow as Bergström then ran a tight line on the last bend to pass Screen and prevent the tactical ride gleaning an extra three points. Bergström’s delight was evident for all to see and the crowd responded by showing him exactly how much his efforts are appreciated.
At 44-24 the match was won and it was now about whether the Scorpions would reach the magical sixty point total. In heat 12 Tero Aarnio secured his ‘paid’ maximum with victory but Jan Graversen who had produced an outstanding first half lap was squeezed out on the outside of an amazing ‘four abreast’ formation coming out of the fourth turn first time around. Sadly he wasn’t able to recover the ground lost and he ended up with only the fourth pointless ride for the Scorpions. However, Graversen seems to be gradually getting to grip with the track and there is little doubt his points contributions will increase.
With Joe Screen now signed out of the meeting after feeling sick (possibly in connection with a concussion he suffered whilst racing recently) the Tigers could only field Darren Mallett in heat 13 and David Howe and Magnus Karlsson made easy work of claiming the Scorpions sixth 5-1. The seventh came in heat 14 when Carl Wilkinson produced one of his usual fence-scraping blasts around the outside of everyone and Viktor Bergström used the inside to pass Travis McGowan and Jake Anderson and join him at the front after one lap.
Finally, the Scorpions’ eighth maximum heat win came in heat 15 when Bergström again fought off the attention of McGowan to follow David Howe home and complete his six ride ‘paid’ maximum. In many ways Howe had been unlucky to not claim his ninth Scorpions’ maximum as he had looked completely untroubled after being headed by Screen in the opening race. He recorded four straight heat wins and along with the rest of the side will be eagerly waiting to hear who they will face in the Young Shield Quarter-final later in September.
Viktor Bergström: Last time I was down at reserve I didn't enjoy it as I put pressure on myself as I thought I should win every ride. So actually when I came back into the main body of the team I started to score more than I did at reserve so I didn't know how it would go today but I made a good start in my first heat and was on it from then on. It was a shame I blew my engine in the first heat but the second bike went good as well so it didn't matter.
When I started the season after last year's injury I was soon injured again and this went on for a while. I struggled to get some form back after that but I felt in the last couple of meetings I've started to get some form back. I haven't got the points I wanted but I knew if I could have another good day I could get some points and kick on from then. I've scored some points today so hopefully I can continue to do that. It's going to be hard to get an 18 point maximum every meeting but as long as I can score some good points now at reserve I can get my confidence back for next season and start afresh without any injuries. I'm looking forward to that.
I'm really happy that Rob (Godfrey, Scunthorpe Promoter) kept me through the difficult time I had and didn't drop me. He showed confidence in me so I've got a lot to thank him for.
Scunthorpe Scorpions 62 – David Howe 14 (5 rides), Tero Aarnio 11+1 (4), Carl Wilkinson 8+2 (4), Magnus Karlsson 8+1 (4), Viktor Bergström 15+3 (6), Jan Graversen 4 (4), Steve Worrall 2+1 (3)
Glasgow Tigers 30 – Joe Screen 8 (3 rides including a four point tactical ride), Nick Morris 6 (6), Travis McGowan 3 (5), Josh Grajczonek 0 (1), Darren Mallett 5+1 (7), Jake Anderson 8+1 (7)
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