Brilliant Bears beat Edinburgh
The Redcar “Agilia” Bears claimed their first Cab Direct Championship points of the season with a superb 43-47 success against Edinburgh. Charles Wright was once again in sensational form with a paid maximum (13+2) for Redcar whilst Craig Cook hit 12 for the hosts.
The Bears actually began in the worst possible fashion by conceding an opening heat 5-1 as Justin Sedgmen was joined at the front by Lasse Fredriksen after the Norwegian passed Danyon Hume on lap 3 to give the Monarchs the best possible start at Armadale. Jason Edwards put Redcar’s first heat winner on the board with a masterful heat 2 display with the Bears asset storming from the tapes to secure a comfortable win but with Edinburgh packing the minor placings, Redcar could not eat into Edinburgh’s lead.
Redcar levelled the scores with a comprehensive heat 3 5-1 as Connor Bailey put in his best ride in Bears colours as he impressively flew from the tapes to win and with Charles Wright passing Kye Thomson in the early stages, Redcar were level. Edinburgh quickly re-established their advantage as Cook won heat 4 despite pressure from Danny King but with Jacob Hook keeping Jake Mulford at the rear, Edinburgh went 13-11 in front.
Redcar were again not behind for long as they immediately levelled the scores as Lewis Kerr took his maiden win of the night whilst Danyon Hume held off Paco Castagna to put Redcar’s 2nd heat advantage on the board to bring the Bears level at 15-15. After a shared heat 6 was won by King, Redcar looked set to hit the front in heat 7 with Wright winning comfortably until Bailey fell whilst in 3rd which stopped the race with “The Tornado” excluded from the re-run.
Heat 7’s re-run saw Wright continue his dazzling 2023 with a superb win over Cook with the scores deadlocked at 21-21. The Bears side hit the front after Hume gated and won heat 8 comfortably whilst the ever trying Jason Edwards passed Jacob Hook towards the end of lap 3 to send the Bears travelling support wild as the visitors put their noses in front for the first time.
Heat 9 was won by King in a shared race whilst Wright continued on his merry way to win heat 10 comfortably but with his partner Bailey last, Redcar’s lead remained a slim one at 2 points. The theme of shared races continued with the 6th 3-3 of the match arriving in heat 11 as Cook took his tally to 8 points from 3 rides but with Redcar packing the minor placings, Edinburgh remained behind.
Redcar then doubled their advantage to 4 points with Wright making it 6 wins on the bounce in Redcar colours in heat 12 and with Edwards yet again getting the better of Hook, a first away win at Armadale since a 46-47 success in 2013 was on the cards. Heat 13 gave Redcar the opportunity to put themselves on the brink of victory but with Cook making the gate and passing at a premium, King and Kerr had to settle for 2nd and 3rd respectively and the visitors’ lead remained at 4 points.
Heat 14 saw Edinburgh come to life to level the scores with only their 2nd 5-1 of the night as heat 14 specialist Paco Castagna won and with both Bears slightly hindering each other in their attempts to pass Kyle Bickley, Edinburgh were suddenly level with a nerve shredding heat 15 to follow.
Heat 15 saw Redcar have the all-important choice of gate positions with Wright off gate 3 and King off gate 1. Both Bears made the first corner in the lead and despite strong pressure from Cook and almost colliding with each other at the end of lap 2, the 2 former British Champions held off Cook and Sedgmen to send the travelling support home happy with the Bears securing their maiden Championship points at their 2nd attempt in 2023.
Redcar Bears team boss Gavin Parr was delighted with the win, “ Overall, we rode well and there’s still room for improvement within the side which is exciting! If I’m being honest, I didn’t see a 5-1 in heat 14 to Edinburgh but when you can rely on 2 former British Champions to get the job done in heat 15 it’s pretty good and they went out there and did the job!”
Edinburgh Monarchs = 43
1. Justin Sedgmen (G) = 6+1
2. Lasse Fredriksen = 7+2
3. Kye Thomson = 7
4. Paco Castagna = 4+1
5. Craig Cook = 12
6. Kyle Bickley = 4+3
7. Jacob Hook = 3
Redcar Bears = 47
1. Lewis Kerr (G) = 6+1
2. Danyon Hume = 6+1
3. Charles Wright = 13+2
4. Connor Bailey = 4
5. Danny King = 13
6. Jason Edwards = 5
7. Jake Mulford = 0