The Sheffield Window Centre Tigers rattled up their first win of the season with a comfortable display against Premier League debutantes Scunthorpe. The evening rain had stopped by tapes up and the track looked in good shape. Joel Parsons led the way in heat 1 with Ricky Ashworth rounding Carl Wilkinson on the pits turn at the end of lap 1 to make it a maximum heat win. Andy Moore picked up third place as Carl slowed on the last lap. Lee Smethills trapped to win heat 2 and Sam Martin recovered from a slow start to round Byron Bekker on the pits turn to grab his first point. Magnus Karlsson showed his liking for the Owlerton circuit with a good win in heat 3. André Compton closed the gap but just failed to get by in his last bend manoeuvre. Lee Smethills led heat 4 from Benji Compton but Richard Hall blasted high and wide and moved from 3rd to 1st by the end of the first lap. Despite watching this Ben Wilson seemed clueless and never looked like even catching Benji. André was away much faster in heat 5 but Paul was carved up by Carl as he tried to pass him wide out of turn two allowing Andy Moore through. Paul kept the pressure on and was rewarded as he swooped past Carl on the pits turn at the end of the third lap. Sheffield lead by 6 points.

Ricky trapped ahead in heat 6 with Joel Parsons passing Richard on the inside of turn two to claim another 5-1. Heat 7 was stopped with Ben moving at the star but it was "all four riders back to the tapes". Magnus made another electric start with Ben in close attendance and Victor Bergstrom picked up his first competitive point for the Scorpions ahead of Sam. Benji led heat 8 from Lee until Joel rounded his team mate on the second turn, and then dived through into the lead at the start of the second lap. Richard was on a tactical ride in heat 9 and made no mistake from the gate. André closed him down but had the door slammed in his face on the first turn at the start of the third lap allowing Paul through into second place. Ricky and Joel had picked up two 5-1's so far but it was Magnus who sped into the lead in heat 10. Ricky made a brilliant pass on the third turn to take the lead and Joel's persistence was rewarded as he made a beautiful inside pass at the start of the last lap to make it another maximum heat win. Excellent racing and the Tigers now lead by 11 points.

Ben trapped (at last) to lead heat 11 from Andy and reserve replacement Benji, although Sam would find it easier if he turned his fuel on before the start of the race. André showed a clean pair of heels to Magnus in heat 12 and Lee picked up a point with Benji suffering engine problems. Heat 13 was a classic with Ben Andy and Ricky dicing all the way to the line. Lee Smethills picked up a ride as replacement for Sam and shot out in front in heat 14. Paul slotted in behind him and rode shotgun ahead of Victor and Benji for another 5-1. Richard and Magnus were nominated for heat 15 alongside the unbeaten pairing of Ricky and Joel. Richard Hall led the way but Ricky passed him sweetly on the inside of turn 1 on the second lap only for Richard to fall on the second turn. It was Magnus who led from the restart but Ricky blasted around him on the third turn. Joel never stopped trying but had stewed his clutch and lost his chance of a maximum.

An excellent evenings racing with some sparkling racing despite the weather. André had complained to Booey that there wasn't enough shale on the track but given the weather conditions I think the track was spot on. He'd also complained that they usually have the start ploughed up but Booey had refused so our riders can get used to the kind of conditions they experience when visiting away tracks. Looks as if we could be in for an interesting season. Thanks to the large contingent of Scorpion fans who made themselves heard. Look forward to seeing them again very shortly...

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