Bears keep play-off hope alive
Redcar SG Petch Bears kept their play-off hopes alive with a comfortable 52-41 win over fourth placed Edinburgh Monarchs at the Media Prima Arena on Thursday night.
The Bears started the meeting superbly, with three 5-1’s in the opening three heats to give them a commanding lead. The Monarchs fought back however, with a Ricky Wells winning a tactical ride in heat 7 to bring the score back to within 5. That was as close as Edinburgh got however, with the Bears extending the gap to 7 and keeping it that way until heats 13 and 14. A great race in heat 13 saw Ben Barker pass Erik Riss for the win and give Bears a 4-2, before sponsors rider of the night Jonas B Andersen and Tobias Busch teamed up for a 5-1 in heat 14 to ensure the Bears won the meeting and Edinburgh would return back to Scotland with no points.
It was another great team effort from the Bears, with Ben Barker top scoring on 11 with Andersen scoring 10+1. The impressive Ricky Wells top scored for the Monarchs with 15, with Erik Riss scoring 8. The Bears are next in action at home next Thursday, with another tough meeting against the Ipswich Witches.
Redcar Bears = 52
1. Ben Barker – 3, 3, 2, 3, 0 = 11
2. Ellis Perks – 2′, 2′, 2, 1′ = 7+3
3. Jason Garrity – 3, 1, 1, 2 = 7
4. Jonas B Andersen – 2′, 0, 3, 3, 2 = 10+1
5. Charles Wright – 2, 2, 2, 1 = 7
6. Tobias Busch – 3, 0, 1′, 1′, 2′ = 7+3
7. Danny Ayres – 2′, 0, 1′, (TB – 2′) = 3+2
Edinburgh Monarchs = 41
1. Ty Proctor (G) – 1, 3, 3, F/X = 7
2. Mark Riss – 0, 2′, 3, 0 = 5+1
3. Ricky Wells – F/X, 6^, 3, 3, 3 = 15
4. Josh Pickering – 1, 1, F/X, (MC – 0) = 2
5. Erik Riss – 3, EF, 2, 2, 1 = 8
6. Max Clegg – 0, 1, 0, (MD – 0), 0 = 1
7. Mitchell Davey – 1, 1, 0, 0, 1 = 3