Bears fall just short of point at Eastbourne

Redcar Agilia Bears fell just short of a point away at Eastbourne on Saturday night, going down 50-40 in a battling performance.

The Eagles are a very strong side at home, and it was a first visit to Arlington for many of the Bears side but they kept the scores fairly close throughout. The home side started the better of the two, and took a 6 point lead after three heats when Palm Toft fell when chasing Kyle Newman for the lead.

Through the early part of the meeting the Eagles chipped away at the Bears, and after 9 heats had extended the lead to 12 points. The Bears got their first and only heat advantage in heat 12, with British Champion Charles Wright and Palm Toft combining for a 4-2. A couple of shared heats saw the Bears go into heat 15 with a chance of a point if they got a 5-1. Riss made the gate and won, but the Eagles pair kept Toft at bay get a 3-3 and deny the Bears a point.

Riss top scored for the Bears with 10, with Wright getting 9+1. Richard Lawson top scored for the hosts with 13.

Eastbourne Eagles = 50 

1. Edward Kennett – 3, 3, 3, 1′ = 10+1
2. Georgie Wood – 1, 1, 3, 0 = 5
3. Kyle Newman – 3, 1, 1, 2 = 7
4. Lewis Kerr – 2′, 3, 3, 3, 1′ = 12+2 
5. Richard Lawson – 3, 3, 3, 2, 2 = 13
6. Jason Edwards – 2, (MM – 0), R, 0, 0 = 2
7. Matt Marson (Guest) – 1′, 0, 0, (JE – R), 0 = 1+1

Redcar Bears = 40 

1. Erik Riss – R, 2, 2, 3, 3 = 10
2. Kasper Andersen – 2, F/X, 2, 1′ = 5+1 
3. Michael Palm Toft – F, 2, 2, 1, 0 = 5
4. Jordan Stewart – 1, 1′, 1′, 2 = 5+2
5. Charles Wright – 1′, 2, 2, 3, R = 9+1
6. Tom Woolley – F/X, 0, 0, (CW – 3) = 0
7. Nathan Greaves – 3, 1′, 1′, 1′ = 6+3