Scorpions' Gary Irving counting on repeat performance to deny his old club a spot in the final

Given the boot for performances which were 'going backwards', Gary Irving returns to his former club looking to take the Scorpions forward.

Not that he really needs to prove a point against Workington.

The Scunthorpe reserve was one of only a handful of his team-mates to do themselves any justice last time they made the trip to Derwent Park.

In a 52-38 defeat, Nick Morris top scored with 10, while Irving and Thomas Jorgensen were next on the list with eight.

This time though, it will be different.

Not only is there a play-off final place at stake, Irving says the Scorpions head north full of confidence.

They made a flying start to their play-off charge on Sunday with a 59-34 thumping of Edinburgh and, following last Friday's rain-off against the Monarchs, aim to continue that momentum with three meetings in as many days.

"It's a busy weekend but it can either work in your advantage or not," said Irving.

"If you have bike trouble it won't work for you but if we have a good meeting tomorrow (Friday) at Edinburgh it can give us momentum for the whole weekend.

"It works both ways.

"Us speedway riders like to be kept busy so I think it will be good for us."

Irving was released by the Comets in July, with owner Keith Denham taking a swipe at his form for the club.

He was quickly snapped up by Scunthorpe though and now has the chance to dent his old side's title hopes.

The Scorpions make the trip north on Saturday, followed by the equivalent home tie the following day.

"I'm just treating it as another meeting, like I did last time but of course I'm looking forward to it," said the Cumbrian.

"It's just up the road from me so there's not much travelling involved.

"I'll be fired up to do well against them but at the end of the day it's just another meeting.

"It's just four riders on the track and anything can happen.

"I'm definitely looking forward to it though.

"That was probably the best I'd rode the track all season last time we went. I rode it good on the night.

"If I'd rode like that all year I probably wouldn't have got sacked!

"As a team we struggled a bit, but Michael Palm Toft's been there a couple of times and been riding well.

"Nick Morris rode there the other week and he rode it well, and I've rode there plenty of times so know the track well.

"We went to Edinburgh and we won there without Nick so we're all going to these tracks confident.

"I'm happy with the group we're in.

"It's good for me, they're all up north so it saves travelling!

"You always need a bit of luck on the night, then things can go your way and you're going to get a good result out of the match."

Irving already has some silverware to display this year, having finished third in the National League Riders' Championship at Rye House on Saturday while representing the Saints.

Scorpions team-mate Ashley Birks topped the podium in his Stoke kevlars.

"I had a good day," said Irving. "I went there not expecting much, just to try to enjoy it, and then ended up on the podium!

"I'm happy with that.

"I was making good starts and it's always easier if you do that.

"I had two decent meetings last weekend, hopefully I can carry it forward to this week, have three good meetings and keep the bike gremlins away, keep getting some points and help us push forward for the final."

To do that, Irving says Scunthorpe must deploy their ruthless streak when it comes to toppling both of their opponents.

"At the end of the day, there are six teams in the play-offs and they're all there for a reason," he added.

"It's always going to be a hard meeting whoever you go against but I'm happy with the draw.

"It's just a matter of trying to get points on the board.

"In the away meetings a good result is picking up something from the match, trying to at least get a point from them.

"You go into every meeting wanting to win, but realistically, if you can't win you try to get a point, if you can't get a point you just try to score as many as you can in case it comes down to points difference.

"You've got to take every opportunity you get. If you grasp it with both hands you can end up with plenty of points on the board.

"Every point's worth racing for at the minute so everyone's going for it."