Bears suffer disappointing defeat

Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing Supplies’ Bears suffered a disappointing defeat on Thursday night, losing 57-33 to the Edinburgh Monarchs. The tone for the night was set in a blistering opening 5 heats from the Monarchs, recording two 5-1’s and three 4-2’s to lead 22-8. 

The Bears struggled to cope with the fast-starting Monarchs all evening, recording only 4 heat wins all night. Bears skipper Ben Barker  provided the main resistance with a battling 13, but it was tough going for the Bears all night.

Ricky Wells led Edinburgh superbly, recording a paid maximum with 14+1 from his rides. He was supported superbly by Erik Riss, Joel Andersson and Josh Pickering in particular – but it was an excellent all round performance from the Scottish side.

Bears promoter Kevin Keay cut a frustrated figure after the meeting:

I’m at my wits end. There just isn’t any consistency throughout the team and I just don’t know why or how to change it. We were out gated and out ridden and that doesn’t please me at all but Edinburgh were awesome and the result shows that.

The Bears are next in home action in two weeks time, against the Ipswich Witches.

Redcar Bears = 33 

1. Ben Barker (C) – 1, 2, 3, 3, 2, 2 = 13
2. Tobias Busch R/R – (JBA-0), (MBA-2), (MBA-F), (JS-0)
3. Dimitri Berge – 0, 0, 3 = 3
4. Jonas B Andersen – 0, 2, 1, 1′, F = 4+1
5. Thomas Jorgensen – 2, 1, 0, 0 = 3
6. Mikkel B Andersen – 2, 2, F, 1, 1, 0 = 6
7. Jordan Stewart – 0, 0, 3, 2, 0, 0 = 5
8. Gavin Parr – 

Edinburgh Monarchs = 57 

1. Ricky Wells – 2′, 3, 3, 3, 3 = 14+1 (PAID MAXIMUM)
2. Victor Palovaara – 3, 2′, 1′, 2′ = 8+3
3. Mark Riss – 1, 0, 2, 1′ = 4+1
4. Josh Pickering – 3, 2, 1′, 3 = 9+1
5. Erik Riss (C) – 3, 3, 3, 1, 1 = 11
6. Max Ruml – 1, 0, 0 = 1
7. Joel Andersson – 3, 1, 2, 2, 2′ = 10+1