Redcar SG Petch Bears v Scunthorpe Scorpions – Thursday 25th May – 7:30pm

Redcar SG Petch Bears will look to get back to winning ways this Thursday, as they take on Scunthorpe Scorpions at the Media Prima Arena with a prompt 7:30pm start.

Injury hit Bears suffered defeat at home to Workington last time out, losing their 100% home record in the process. Bears manager Jitendra Duffill was disappointed, but is keen not to panic:

It was obviously very disappointing to lose at home last week against Workington. I said before the meeting that we were vulnerable as we have been decimated by injury. In those situations it is essential to have a high scoring reserve which we did not have. I have to congratulate Workington who took advantage and were the better team on the night. However,  it is still early in the season and I see no need to panic as things are starting to look much brighter.  

One of those bright spots is the return of Ellis Perks this week. The young Brit, arguably the most impressive number 7 in the league so far this season, had been sidelined after a crash whilst riding for Rye House but will return for the Bears on Thursday. He will be joined at reserve by new signing Danny Ayres, who replaced Richard Hall this week. Duffill believes the side now looks much stronger:

This week we see Danny Ayres make his debut for us and the return of Ellis Perks. I think we look much stronger as a result and if Danny can produce the form I believe he is capable of we will have a very strong reserve pairing. The options available to me during the meeting will keep our top 5 on their toes as I won’t hesitate to give them extra rides if it is likely to score us more points.

Scunthorpe arrive at the Media Prima Arena having endured a tough start to the season, but have a number of riders in their side who go well around the Teesside track. Josh Auty and Carl Wilkinson are both ex-Bears, and they are led by Michael Palm Toft at number 1. New signing Tero Aarnio also takes his place at reserve for the Scorpions, he impressed in the Julie Lewis Memorial meeting earlier in the season. Duffill is looking for his side to get the maximum 3 points:

I’d like to welcome the Scunthorpe Scorpions and their supporters this week. I’m sure they will be keen to make amends for our victory there earlier in the year and they certainly look stronger with the addition of Tero Aarnio. Tero is a very strong rider to have at number 6 and he could make life very tough for us. We can’t afford to drop any more points at home so we need to make sure we perform as expected and come away with 3 league points.

Redcar: Jason Garrity, Coty Garcia, Charles Wright, Jonas B Andersen, Ben Barker, Danny Ayres, Ellis Perks
Scunthorpe: Michael Palm Toft, Carl WIlkinson, Lewis Kerr, Ryan Douglas, Josh Auty, Tero Aarnio, Josh Bailey