SCUNTHORPE have become favourites to get through to the semi-final of the Young Shield – but only just – after last night 51-39 home win over Workington Comets.

Comets team manager Ian Thomas said: “I wanted to keep them down to an eight-point deficit. Funnily enough their manager was looking for that so I guess he’s over the moon with four extra points to play with.

“It just makes it that little but trickier for us to pull back as we have to operate rider replacement for Kauko.

“At Scunthorpe we only managed six points from the facility and I’m sure Kauko would have doubled that.

“Mind you we did have some back luck on the night. Joe Haines had mechanical problems – a clutch and a chain – which put him out of two races.

“Then Charles Wright was leading one race when he fell and was extremely lucky that the three riders following all missed him on the track.

“I think it’s marginal but the 12 point advantage will make the Scorpions slight favourites now to go through. I know the lads will give it their best shot but we have work to do.”

The team manager had a special word for guest Tomas Topinka, who gave another polished performance and Tomi Reima, who did enough to earn his first outing in the final race of the meeting.

Topinka will be riding again as a guest tonight spearheading Workington’s bid to reach the last four.

“I honestly thought before Kauko was injured that we would go on and win the Young Shield. Rider replacement makes it hard for us now though and we are going to have to do that little bit more tonight to get through,” said Thomas.

In the League matches between the two sides Scunthorpe won their home leg 47-43 while Workington took the return 54-39.

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