Scorpions boss holds no grudge ahead of visit to Ipswich Witches
Rohan Tungate was involved in a controversial incident with Josh Auty on Friday night. Picture: Steve Waller - Credit: Picture: Steve Waller
Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey holds no grudge towards the Ipswich Witches or banned rider Rohan Tungate, but insists the Scorpions were right to stage a sit down protest during the controversial clash between the sides, earlier this month.
The Scorpions head to Foxhall tonight, less than two weeks since an incident between Tungate and Scunthorpe rider Josh Auty left the latter sidelined for the rest of the season with a broken hand.
Tungate, who has since been banned for 21 days by the Speedway Control Bureau, was allowed to race for the remainder of Ipswich’s crucial 47-43 win in Lincolnshire, despite Scunthorpe’s calls that Auty was deliberately knocked off his bike by the Australian.
A short protest followed in the middle of the track before more drama saw Scorpions’ Nike Lunna and Ipswich’s Ashley Morris come to blows after heat 14.
“If you ask (Witches’ director of speedway) Chris Louis, he will tell you that apart from that (Tungate/Auty) incident, we enjoyed the night, it was an old school speedway meeting with heroes and villains,” said Godfrey, who shook hands with Louis at the end.
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“I don’t think Rohan meant to do what he did and possibly wanted to make a statement to Josh by spraying shale back at him. I genuinely believe that unfortunately it went wrong and my rider broke his arm as a consequence.
“I would have expected the same protest from Ipswich the other way round as it was an incident that the referee did not see, that probably 90% of the riders and crowd did. It was a reaction to an injustice.
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“We wanted to show the referee we were upset and let the fans show that they were upset. It was a five minute job and we did what was needed. We have all moved on now.”
Sixth-placed Witches know victory tonight will strengthen their claim for a play-off place and Scunthorpe, rock-bottom of the Premier League, should not provide too big an obstacle.
“We are not bottom for nothing but we will be giving it our all,” added Godfrey, who is also without Ben Wilson tonight.
“As Ipswich are concerned, I wish them all the best and I hope they get to the play-offs and do well.”
See today’s Ipswich Star for the ‘King’s Speech’ - our weekly speedway column with Ipswich Witches skipper Danny King.
