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| |  | BIRMINGHAM were eventually beaten 51-39 at Scunthorpe after the hosts produced a late rally at the Eddie Wright Raceway.
On their third visit of the season, the Curtis Sport Brummies certainly came up with their most competitive display in North Lincolnshire to date.
But it was the Scorpions who got the better of the closing stages, coming on strong in the final four races, to build up a 12 point lead ahead of the return at Perry Barr next month (Wednesday, August 23).
It was a much brighter start from Birmingham who won four of the opening five races, recording a trio of 4-2s in the process to lead 16-14.
Guest Richard Lawson opened with six points out of six while Paul Starke and Justin Sedgmen also chipped in with a heat win apiece.
But the hosts found themselves four points in front after the conclusion of Heat Eight with both Sam Hagon and Stefan Nielsen being involved in a couple of hefty incidents.
A hat-trick of 3-3s followed with the Brummies remaining in touching distance of the Scorpions but they conceded a 5-1 in Heat 12 as the deficit doubled to eight.
Guest Lawson picked up his third win of the night in Heat 13 - and that prompted team boss Stewart Dickson to nominate him as a tactical substitute in Heat 14.
But a good opening lap from Scunthorpe guest Zach Cook saw him charge to the front as the hosts sealed victory with a race to spare.
Said Dickson: “We came here to put up a much more respectable showing unlike the last couple of times we’ve been here this season.
“And while, unfortunately, the result didn’t go our way, I felt we were a lot more competitive, we battled hard and I was quite proud of the efforts tonight.
“If you ask me, the scoreline slightly flatters Scunthorpe a little bit - either we fell away or they turned the screw, realistically you could look at that either way.
“But overall I was more pleased with the performance - I just think we’re perhaps one rider short of where I want this team to be.”
Attentions now turn to what will be a crucial night of Speedway in the Second City on Wednesday (August 2, 7.30) as the Brummies host Plymouth at Perry Barr.
Birmingham need to return to winning ways to boost their hopes of snatching sixth place - and after victory at the Colisuem earlier in the season, a home triumph would see them add three valuable points to their tally in the Cab Direct Championship.
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP
SCUNTHORPE 51: Ryan Douglas 13, Jake Allen 9+1, Connor Mountain 9+1, Simon Lambert 9, Nathan Ablitt 6+1, Zach Cook 5+2, Drew Kemp 0.
BIRMINGHAM 39: Richard Lawson 14+1, Justin Sedgmen 8, Alfie Bowtell 6, Paul Starke 4+1, Troy Batchelor 4, Sam Hagon 2+1, Stefan Nielsen 1.
Photo credit: IAN RISPIN
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