Dominant Bears defeat Newcastle
In front of another decent crowd, Redcar Agilia Bears continued their good recent form with a dominant 53-37 win over Newcastle at the Media Prima Arena.
Despite the weather forecasts predicting rain for most of the day, the Media Prima Arena managed to avoid the worst of it and the track was in excellent shape. It was however the Diamonds who started slightly better. After a shared heat 1 won by Erik Riss, the Diamonds took a slender advantage with a 4-2 in heat 2, Max Clegg winning with Danny Phillips getting third place.
The Bears soon clicked into gear however, and three 5-1s and a 4-2 in the next four heats saw the hosts pull out a 12 point lead which they never really looked like losing. Despite the weather and the scoreline, there was some superb racing however. Heat 7 saw Wright stalk Bjerre for all four laps before swooping around the outside on the last bend. Palm Toft repeated the trick against Bjerre in heat 12, passing him up the inside coming off the last bend.
Heat 13 saw the Bears seal the victory. Wright completely missed the start, but flew round all three riders – including teammate Riss – on the second bend to romp home for the victory and record a 12 point maximum from his four rides. With a win in heat 15, Erik Riss also completed a paid maximum with 14+1. Palm Toft chipped in with another 10+1 whilst Stewart scored an excellent 9+1 which included one retirement.
For the Diamonds, ex-Bear Thomas Jorgensen top scored with 10, with Max Clegg scoring 6+2. The Bears are next in action on Sunday away at Newcastle, before facing Sheffield at the Media Prima Arena on Tuesday.
Redcar Bears = 53
1. Erik Riss – 3, 3, 3, 2′, 3 = 14+1
2. Kasper Andersen – 0, 2′, 2, 0 = 4+1
3. Michael Palm Toft – 2′, 3, 2, 3 = 10+1
4. Jordan Stewart – 3, 2′, R, 3, 1 = 9+1
5. Charles Wright – 3, 3, 3, 3 = 12
6. Tom Woolley – R, 0, 0, 0 = 0
7. Nathan Greaves – 2, 1, 1′, 0 = 4+1
Newcastle Diamonds = 37
1. Steve Worrall – 1′, 1, 2, 1 = 5+1
2. Ulrich Ostergaard – 2, 0, 3, 1′ = 6+1
3. Lasse Bjerre – 1, 2, 1′, 2, 0 = 6+1
4. Matthew Wethers – 0, 1′, 2 = 3+1
5. Thomas Jorgensen – 2, 1, 3, 2, R, 2 = 10
6. Max Clegg – 3, 0, 1, 1′, 1′ = 6+2
7. Danny Phillips – 1, 0, 0 = 1