Battling Bears fall short

Redcar Ecco Finish Bears put in a battling performance, but ultimately fell short as they lost 41-49 against the Ipswich Witches at the Media Prima Arena on Thursday night.

It was a night of great racing on Teesside, but the Bears inconsistency again came to the fore. They actually won 9 of the 15 races, but when Ipswich did win a heat they made sure they got the heat advantages. 

For the Bears, a determined Thomas Jorgensen top scored with 11 which included a couple of battling race wins. Captain Ben Barker chipped in with 9+1, with returning German Tobias Busch scoring 7.

For Ipswich, ex-Bear Ty Proctor top scored with 10+1, without actually winning a race! The whole top 5 contributed well though in a solid team effort.

Redcar promoter Kevin Keay was again left bemoaning his sides lack of consistency:

Another frustrating evening. A classic example of inconsistency. Even the riders can’t put their fingers on why it’s happening. Some riders need to take a long hard look at themselves and find out the reasons for their lack of performance.

The Bears are next in action tomorrow night, away to Edinburgh.

Redcar Bears = 41
1. Ben Barker – 2′, 3, 1, 3, 0, EF = 9+1
2. Tobias Busch – 3, 1, 3, 0 = 7
3. Dimitri Berge – 0, 0, 3, 1 = 4
4. Jonas B Andersen – 1, 1, 1, 1′ = 4+1
5. Thomas Jorgensen – 3, 3, 1, 3, 1 = 11
6. Mikkel B Andersen – F, 0, 0 = 0
7. Jordan Stewart – 3, 0, 1, 2 = 6

Ipswich Witches = 49
1. Rory Schlein – EF, 2′, 3, 1′, 3 = 9+2
2. Cameron Heeps – 1, 3, 2, 2′ = 8+1
3. Nico Covatti – 2′, 2, 3, 2 = 9+1
4. Mark Riss – 3, 1′, 2′, 3 = 9+2
5. Ty Proctor (guest) – 2, 2, 2, 2, 2′ = 10+1
6. David Wallinger – 1′, 0, 0 = 1+1
7. Coty Garcia – 2, 1′, 0, 0, 0 = 3+1