Bears battle to a deserving draw in Scotland
The Redcar “Agilia” Bears started their 2021 campaign as they mean to go on as they picked up a valuable 45-45 draw against the Edinburgh Monarchs. The Bears were actually in the lead going into a tense heat 15. Jake Allen and Michael Palm Toft were the Bears representatives in an enthralling final heat whilst the Monarchs sent out Sam Masters and Richie Worrall. The Scottish side trapped on a 5-1 but “MPT” had other ideas for the Bears as he passed Richie Worrall on lap 2 to earn the Bears 2 league points north of the border.
Edinburgh actually started the meeting with 2 early heat advantages in the first 5 heats but Redcar did not let that phase them as they clawed their way back and then hit the front in heat 12 with a stunning 1-5 from Michael Palm-Toft and James Sarjeant.
Former Monarch James Sarjeant had an impressive debut scoring paid 9 whilst Jordan Jenkins also started well with paid 5 including a fantastic ride in heat 8. The Bears did not register a heat winner until heat 6 when Jake Allen had a photo finish against Monarchs star Sam Masters. Packing the minor placings was key to tonight’s result as the Bears only registered 4 heat winners. The star men for the Bears were undoubtedly Allen and Palm-Toft who scored 10 and 11 respectively. For the Monarchs Sam Masters was the top scorer with 13 points.
Edinburgh “What The Fork” Monarchs 45
Sam Masters 13, Nathan Greaves 2+1, Kye Thomsen 4, Josh Pickering 10, Richie Worrall 11+1, Joe Lawlor 0, William Lawson 5
Redcar “Agilia” Bears 45
Charles Wright 5+1 Anders Rowe 6+1, Michael Palm Toft 11, Jordan Stewart 3+3, Jake Allen 10, James Sarjeant 7+2, Jordan Jenkins 3+2
