Summers Turns Up the Heat for Massive Win

Scintillating Aaron Summers helped fire Glasgow to a massive win at the home of one of their Premier League title rivals.

The 27-year-old was beaten just twice by an Ipswich rider in six races as the Tigers battled back from six behind to stun the Witches.

It was a last-heat 5-1 from captain Summers and Richard Lawson that sealed the 47-43 win and give the Tigers three more points towards their title push.

Glasgow have now overtaken Somerset in third place in the league – and they’ve moved 20 points ahead of seventh-placed Berwick – meaning a top-six finish to make the play-offs is looking ever-more likely.

Team manager Stewart Dickson paid tribute to all his men – including the guests at reserve, Adam Ellis and Rafal Konopka.

He said: “We went there believing we could get something – no doubt about that. When we heard that Stefan Nielsen was out and they had to bring in the young boy Connor Coles at the bottom end, that was always going to give us a chance.

“Our guests did well for us, they did their job. I’m pretty sure that Victor Palovaara would have squeezed a few more points had he been there, so it affected both teams.

“It took Nick Morris a couple of races to get back into the swing of things and it wasn’t looking too good, but I played the Richard Lawson card with Aaron Summers against Nico Covatti for the rider replacement ride in heat seven – and they always seem to pop up and get us a 5-1.

“The plan was just to pin Covatti and Richard came round the outside. We did the same in heat 15, as soon as they took gates one and three. I was quite surprised they never went with Covatti but as soon as they picked one and three, Aaron was always going to go off two, because he was trapping like a demon.

“The plan was to pin gate one and worst case scenario, take a draw. But Richard popped out off gate four with a fantastic gate – and this is what he’s there for – to win the big pressure races. That’s why we brought him to the club.

“It’s a happy Tigers camp as we go up the road tonight. It’s three points – thoroughly deserved.

“And I’ve got to say that their crowd were very sporting. We did a lap of honour and they gave us all a big round of applause.

“I think that’s up to five away wins – that’s pretty good going – it’s a great effort.”

It was a special performance from Summers who is starting to hit top form.

Dickson added: “Aaron is great in the pits as I’ve said many times, and he’s going out and doing the business for us.

“He got passed by Danny King in heat 15 and then Aaron came back and passed him again, which is something, because King is quite a sight to behold round there.

“Aaron’s doing a fantastic job. He’s the quiet man on the track – he just gets on with it. It’s an excellent result, I’m really pleased.

“I’m happy for the boys because they all worked their socks off tonight – it was a great team effort.”

Tigers scorers: Aaron Summers 15+1, Richard Lawson 9+2, Adam Ellis (guest) 7+3, James Sarjeant 7, Nick Morris 6, Rafal Konopka (guest) 3, David Howe R/R.