Entertaining night and three points to the Academy

Sometimes a match which should be a classic can turn out like a damp squib, and other times a match which wasn't expected to be a classic can be really enjoyable. Tonight's 51-39 win for the Academy over the Steelers was an example of the latter.

The combined Sheffield-Scunthorpe team were missing several riders and stand-in manager Jason Pipe admitted he had tried 38 riders to fill in the gaps and wasn't expecting his patched up team to be a threat to the Academy. But they were – just two points down at heat 10, with the final score of 51-39 not fully reflecting how hard-fought a match it was.

There were quite a few riders on both sides who had noteworthy performances. Jordy Loftus was actually riding his first home match for the Academy and returned paid 19, with race wins in heats 11, 12 and 14 really steadying the ship in the latter races.

Team manager Scott Wilson said "This felt like a night when we just needed to get the job done and, after it got a little close for comfort at points, we got over the line with a bit to spare.

"I thought Connor was excellent. It was his type of track and he attacked it well. Jordy also ran up a huge score from reserve, he was very very impressive and is great to have in the pits. His enthusiasm and positivity are infectious!

"A special mention also to Liam Greens who showed real bravery to pass a few more experienced opponents early on – he should be pleased with his first NDL appearance."

Home captain Connor Coles was solid as a rock and only dropped one point to Ben Morley in heat 13, gaining revenge two races later with an excellent re-passing move after the visitor had passed him.

Dayle Wood didn't have as good a night as usual due to problems with his machine which caused much head scratching in the pits – he stopped twice while in front. Sam McGurk won his first two races then mysteriously disappeared after a third place, but it was further down the team that there was most encouragement for the future.

Junior League rider Liam Greens was brought in to replace departed Matt Marson, and after two rides he had definitely been the most entertaining rider on show! He is not a gater but in heat 3 he shot past Richardson early on, then chased Shimelt down and caught him with a perfect cutback. Two heats later he caught Shimelt again and failed by a whisker to add the scalp of Stene Pijper with a bold outside run. He came to grief in his next two but he did enough to show what he can do if he can harness his determination.

Improving Lee Harrison also had a good meeting and it has to be with these younger riders (including Loftus of course) that the Academy can really serve a purpose for the club.

For the admirable Steelers Ben Morley not unexpectedly did most of the scoring, winning four races, but Luke Harris also had what must have been one of his best meetings, gating well and riding smoothly. There was plenty of spirit from Shimelt also. With so many of their regulars missing they could ill afford to also have Stene Pijper withdraw after two rides.