Scunthorpe Scorpions tantalisingly close to speedway play-off final

Scunthorpe Scorpions will soon know if their best ever season is about to get even better.

A place in the title-deciding play-off final remains tantalisingly close, but they are reliant on Workington failing to win at Edinburgh tonight (Friday) in the last of the group matches.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey, though, is confident it will be his team going through to face Somerset later this month.

The Monarchs' play-off hopes were ended on Saturday when a last heat decider saw them beaten 46-44 at Derwent Park.

"Only a week or so ago I thought we were out of the play-offs because of the injuries we had, now I think we've got a great chance of being in the final," said Godfrey.

"I think it was a fantastic result for us on Saturday.

"Workington have to now actually win at Edinburgh and it's a bogey track for them.

"The odds are pretty much stacked in our favour."

Scunthorpe have already agreed provisional dates with Somerset for the final – the first leg would take place at the Oak Tree Arena on Friday, October 26, with the return two days later.

It leaves Godfrey crossing his fingers in the meantime that all his riders come through the next week unscathed.

They have already suffered one scare with Josh Auty's crash in the Premier League Riders' Championship.

Initially it was feared the Scorpions' number one had broke his wrist and Godfrey admits he had already started considering his options, but the news is now considerably brighter.

"I never count my chickens with Josh – he bounces pretty well," said the Scunthorpe promoter.

"It's hurting him and it's the same wrist as before, but it's not broken, which is great news for us.

"He always gives 110 per cent, and with the riders who give 110 per cent, they are always in the wars.

"If we had needed a guest we were going to be struggling – there doesn't appear to be any number ones this year.

"It would have been a little bit more work and a gamble because you know what you're going to get out of Josh – but thankfully we don't have to go down that route.

"Somerset had a lot of bad luck on Sunday, they lost their inspirational number one in Jason Doyle.

"He has a confirmed break in the neck so he's going to be a big miss for them, as David Howe, Thomas Jorgensen and the rest have been to us.

"Whether it evens up or not, I'm not sure.

"We just have to concentrate on the riders we've got and making sure they come through fit and sharp.

"Apart from Gary Irving they're all still riding at the minute, so they're all staying fit, but they're all susceptible to getting injured.

"If we need guests, we'll get the best guests we can."

Nick Morris has missed Scunthorpe's last three meetings, but came through the PLRC, finishing with eight points; Thomas Jorgensen though seems unlikely to play a part in the final.

"I spoke to Thomas last week. He thought he was fit enough to ride but then his shoulder's hurting," said Godfrey.

"It would have to be a 999 call to bring Thomas in, or a gamble.

"He's been out for so long it would be a gamble whether he's match fit or race fit."