Bears in superb win over Rebels
Redcar Agilia Bears gave themselves a fighting chance to progress in the KO Cup, with a 53-36 victory over Somerset at the Media Prima Arena on Friday night.
After a couple of days of rain, the track stuff did a superb job on the track which was in its usual superb condition. The Rebels started well, with a 5-1 in heat one as Rory Schlein and Todd Kurtz gated well and never looked back. It was to be one of only 2 Somerset heat advantages however as the Bears soon took control. For the second week running, heat two saw a 5-1 for the Bears with Nathan Greaves and Jack Smith getting the points for the home side. The Bears continued that form in heat 3, with captain Ben Barker and Jordan Stewart heading home the Rebels pair.
The Bears never really looked back from that point. Charles Wright was his usual reliable self, whilst young Aussie Jordan Stewart continued his superb start to the season with a heat 15 and sponsors rider of the night. Palm Toft had two excellent wins before a nasty fall in heat 13, whilst Jack Smith had his best night as a Bear with a excellent 10+3. For the Rebels, Chris Harris was his usual exciting self with some superb passes. Rory Schlein battled hard and Todd Kurtz notched two heat wins.
The result leaves the tie nicely in the balance, with the Bears defending a 17 point lead when they head to Somerset on Wednesday.
Redcar Bears = 53
1. Michael Palm Toft : 1, 3, 3, EX = 7
2. Tom Bacon : 0, 1, 1*, 1 = 3+1
3. Ben Barker : 3, 1, 1, 3 = 8
4. Jordan Stewart : 2*, 3, 2, 3, 1 = 11+1
5. Charles Wright : 2, 3, 3, 2, 3 = 13
6. Nathan Greaves : 3, 1, 0, R = 4
7. Jack Smith : 2*, 1*, 2, 2* = 7+3
Somerset Rebels = 36
1. Rory Schlein : 2*, 2, 2, 3, 0 = 9+1
2. Todd Kurtz : 3, 0, 3, 1* = 7+1
3. Valentin Grobauer : 0, 0, 0, 1 = 1
4. Nico Covatti : 1, 2, 2, 2 = 7
5. Chris Harris : 3, 2, 3, EX, 2 = 10
6. Henry Atkins : 1, 0, 0, 0, 1 = 2
7. Anders Rowe : 0, 0, 0 = 0