Bears win first leg of Tyne Tees Trophy
Redcar Agilia Bears saw off the challenge of a determined Newcastle Diamonds side at the Media Prima Arena on Friday night, running out 51-39 winners.
In front of a healthy opening day crowd on Teesside, the Bears started off the meeting really well. Three 5-1s in the opening four heats saw the home side jump out to a 18-6 lead, which saw heat wins for Tom Bacon, Ben Barker and Charles Wright. The next few heats saw Newcastle steady the ship somewhat, with the Diamonds getting a 5-1 after an excellent heat 8 in which Simon Lambert eventually got the better of Jack Smith before the Bears reserve fell on the last bend.
A heat 9 win from the excellent Jordan Stewart was followed by a win by number 1 Michael Palm Toft in fine style from the back and the sides went into the interval 14 points to the good. A couple of heat advantages for the away side, both involving the Diamonds star man Stevie Worrall, saw the deficit reduced to eight points with two heats remaining. Another win for Jordan Stewart in heat 14 sealed the win for the Bears, before a heat 15 5-1 for Charles Wright and Palm Toft extended the lead to 12.
Charles Wright top scored for the Bears with an excellent 13+1, with great support from Palm Toft and Stewart with 11+1 and 10+1 respectively. Worrall top scored for the visitors with 12+1. Bears promoter Jitendra Duffill was delighted with his teams evening:
I couldn’t have wished for a better opening night. Our top 5 showed that they will be a force to be reckoned with around the MPA, and lots of promise from our young reserves. A healthy crowd and superb racing for the opening meeting!
Redcar Bears = 51
1. Michael Palm Toft : 2*, 3, 3, 0, 3 = 11+1
2. Tom Bacon : 3, 1, 1, 0 = 5
3. Ben Barker : 3, 0, 2*, 1 = 6+1
4. Jordan Stewart : 2*, 2, 3, 3 = 10+1
5. Charles Wright : 3, 3, 3, 2, 2* = 13+1
6. Nathan Greaves : 2, 1, 0, 0 = 3
7. Jack Smith : 1*, 2*, F, 0 = 3+2
Newcastle Diamonds = 39
1. Steve Worrall : 1, 3, 2, 2*, 3, 1 = 12+1
2. Simon Lambert : R, 1, 3, 1 = 5
3. Lasse Bjerre : EX, R, 1*, 3, 0 = 4+1
4. Matthew Wethers : 1, 2, 2, 2 = 7
5. Thomas Jorgensen : F, 2, 1, 1 = 4
6. Danny Phillips : 0, 1, 0 = 1
7. Max Clegg : 3, 0, 2*, 0, 1 = 6+1