Bears just miss out on Play Off Final
Redcar Agilia Bears suffered play off heartbreak last night, losing 50-40 on the night to make the aggregate score 91-89 to Leicester.
It has been a fantastic season for the Bears, and the team gave it all they had against the side who topped the league table during the season. The home side started off the meeting well, and by heat 6 the Bears 8 point lead was gone with the aggregate scores level. The racing was fast, furious and close all night and the Bears stuck with the Lions throughout.
Two successive 4-2s for the home side in heats 8 and 9 saw them take a 4 point aggregate lead, but a 4-2 for the Bears in heat 12 reduced this to just two points and ensured a tense finish. Going into Heat 15, a Bears 4-2 would have seen the scores tied, and a 5-1 would have won us the meeting. Charles Wright duly won, although Scott Nicholls and Ryan Douglas team rode well to keep Riss at bay. There was one moment where Nicholls looked to make a mistake and open the door for Riss, but the former British Champion managed to hold on and ensure the Lions got the 3-3 they needed.
It was a great effort from the Bears, and many congratulations to Leicester who will now face Glasgow in the final. Many thanks also to our brilliant supporters, who travelled in numbers and were in fine voice throughout. The Bears now face Newcastle tonight in the second leg of the KO Cup Final, hoping to defend a 12 point lead from the first leg.
Leicester Watling JCB Lions = 50 (91)
1. Scott Nicholls – 3, 3, 2, 2, 1′ = 11+1
2. Ty Proctor – 1, 2′, 3, 1′ = 7+2
3. Steve Worrall (G) – 1, 2, 3, 2 = 8
4. Ellis Perks – 3, 1′, 1, 3 = 8+1
5. Ryan Douglas – 2, 3, 3, 1′, 2 = 11+1
6. Joe Lawlor – 1′, 0, 0 = 1+1
7. Connor Mountain – 2, 1′, 1, 0, F = 4+1
Redcar Agilia Bears = 40 (89)
1. Charles Wright – 2, 3, 2, 0, 3 = 10
2. Kasper Andersen – 0, 0, 2, 1′ = 3+3
3. Jake Allen (G) – 0, 2, 3, 3 = 8
4. Jordan Stewart – 2, 1′, 0, 2 = 5+1
5. Erik Riss – 3, 1, 2, 3, 0 = 9
6. Tom Woolley – EX, 0, 0 = 0
7. Nathan Greaves – 3, 0, 0, 1, 1′ = 5+1