SCUNTHORPE will have an eight-point lead to defend in Wednesday's Championship Grand Final decider at Poole.
The Scorpions largely controlled Friday night's first leg at the Eddie Wright Raceway from the off and led from start to finish. But after opening a 10-point lead after Heat 7, they were pegged back by the defending champions who cut the deficit to just four after a Heat 12 5-1 from Slater Lightcap and Lewis Kerr. Scunthorpe finished the match with back-to-back 4-2s in the last two heats to win 49-41 on the night, although Pirates will start the second leg as favourites to be crowned league champions once again. Scorpions team manager David Howe said: “I said to the lads in the team talk before that the thing about Poole is they keep coming at you. “We had plenty of heat winners but not quite enough heat advantages. We’ve got a bit of a lead, and it is what it is.” Poole boss Neil Middleditch said: “The boys had a good fightback and it’s been a great meeting. Fair play to Scunthorpe, they are a hell of a team around here. “It’s the first time I’ve been here and I’m very impressed with the racetrack, and the Scunthorpe boys have really got it dialled in. I’m happy to be where we are.”
