Bears fall at Somerset

Redcar Agilia Bears kept Somerset honest at the Oak Tree Arena on Wednesday night, but ultimately fell to a 51-39 defeat.

The Bears, missing Tom Bacon who is still suffering after his fall at Peterborough on Sunday, kept the scores tight early on in the meeting. Indeed, after 7 heats the Bears were only 6 points down – and that deficit was reduced to just 2 after a heat eight 5-1 from Jordan Stewart and Jack Smith.

Somerset returned the favour with a heat 10 5-1 of their own to retake a 6 point lead, before a controversial heat 12 in which the Bears were looking to reduce the arrears again. Charles Wright was brought in as a tactical sub to replace Nathan Greaves, but unfortunately missed the two minutes time allowance and was excluded. He was then replaced by Jack Smith, who himself then missed the two minutes and was also excluded. Ulrich Ostergaard did win the heat, to ensure a 3-3 for the Bears.

Despite their best efforts, the Bears could not claw back the deficit and a 5-1 and a 4-2 in the last two heats ensured a Somerset win and no away points for the Bears. Skipper Charles Wright top scored for the Bears with 13, with Michael Palm Toft scoring 9.

The Bears are next in action at home against Leicester on Friday night.

Somerset Rebels = 51

1. Rory Schlein – 3, 2, 3, 1′, 1 = 10+1
2. Todd Kurtz – 0, 1′, 1, 2 = 4+1
3. Valentin Grobauer – 0, 1′, 1′, 2 = 4+2
4. Nico Covatti – 3, 2, 2, 3, 3 = 13
5. Chris Harris – 3, 3, 2, 2 = 10
6. Anders Rowe – 3, 0, 1′, 2′ = 6+2
7. Henry Atkins – 2′, 1, 0, 1′ = 4+2

Redcar Bears = 39

1. Charles Wright – 2, 3, 3, X, 3, 2 = 13
2. Tom Bacon R/R
3. Ulrich Ostergaard – 2, 0, 2, 0, 3 = 7
4. Jordan Stewart – 1′, 1′, 3, 1, 1 = 7+1
5. Michael Palm Toft – 2, 3, 3, 0, 0 = 8
6. Nathan Greaves – 1′, 1, FX, 0 = 2+1
7. Jack Smith – 0, 0, 2′, FX, X, 0 = 2+1