Redcar Bears v Sheffield Tigers – Friday 27th – 7:30pm – Championship Shield
Redcar ‘ECCO Finishing Supplies’ Bears go into this week’s double clash with Sheffield hoping to put one over a strong looking Tigers side. The Bears travel to Sheffield on Thursday evening, before hosting the Tigers On Friday evening at the Media Prima Arena (7:30pm starts).
After a pleasing win over Newcastle last Thursday night, the Bears came crashing down to earth with defeats at Lakeside and the return at Newcastle. And whilst Duffill was pleased with his sides efforts in the home meeting, he was left disappointed with the performance at Newcastle in particular:
We got off to a slow start against Newcastle but once we took control of the match we were dominant. It was pleasing to see contributions from everyone and that’s something I’d like to see continue. Tobias Busch looked very impressive and his form at home will be important to us this year. I expected a tough time at Lakeside and I was right to. Lakeside are very good around their own track and I don’t think that anybody will come away from there with any league points this year.
Newcastle on Sunday was disappointing and I expected us to do much better. Newcastle is a tricky track to ride but I got the impression that a couple of us were beaten before we had even come to the tapes. We must aim to do a lot better and I apologise to the travelling supporters who deserved better.
The big meetings keep coming thick and fast, and this week sees the Bears up against last year’s Champions in Sheffield. The task is not made any easier with the fact the Bears will be without Matej Kus and Tobias Busch for both meetings. The pair are riding in Russia, in a SEC Qualifying event. on the Thursday night. We do have two good guests coming in on both nights though, with Ty Proctor replacing Matej Kus and Nathan Greaves replacing Busch. Duffill explains:
Unfortunately we are without Matej and Tobias as they are competing in an SEC qualifier in Russia. They are a big loss to us as both were very impressive at home last week but I’m happy with the guests I have brought in to replace them. Ty Proctor loves our place and is as quick as anybody around the MPA. He has also started the season well with Kings Lynn. Nathan Greaves is a rider that I was very impressed with when he guested for us last year and he will be keen to impress as he looks to secure a Championship spot.
Duffill is also hoping the good recent form of captain Ben Barker can help the two Bears rookies this season, Mikkel B Andersen and Jordan Stewart. Both riders have produced some excellent rides so far this season, and Duffill is sure with the captains help there is much more to come:
Mikkel and Jordan will benefit from his experience and Ben should have a bit more time to give now he has got himself settled. Please get behind both of our new boys because there is loads of potential there and they will only get better as the season goes on. We need to show some patience but they will be worth it and I assure you that both are giving it 100%.
Sheffield go into the meetings still without exciting young Brit Josh Bates, who suffered an unfortunate injury on the eve of the season. They will operate rider replacement for him in the two ties. Last year’s Bear Charles Wright lines up for the Tigers this season, and has been in excellent form for them so far. He is joined in the lineup by another ex-Bear Lasse Bjerre, with young Brit Kyle Howarth at number 1.
Once again, we hope to see as many of you trackside as possible to help support the lads!
Redcar: Ben Barker, Jordan Stewart, Jonas B Andersen, Mikkel B Andersen, Ty Proctor, Nathan Greaves, Theo Pijper
Sheffield: Kyle Howarth, Todd Kurtz, Lasse Bjerre, r/r for Josh Bates, Charles Wright, Jack Smith, James Shanes