Mudgway: We can go all the way!
Redcar boss Jade Mudgway believes his side can go all the way and lift the league title this season ahead of Redcar’s SGB home clash with Oxford this Friday, (19:30 start at the Ecco Arena). The Kiwi said, “I believe we have the side to go all the way but first things first, we need to get enough points to make the play-offs.”
The Kiwi stressed that his side is capable of success, “The riders are capable but we will need things to fall into place for that to happen but the same goes for any team that does end up winning the league, you need that bit of luck along the way.”
Mudgway also believes there are positives and negatives to be taken from the fact that the Bears have already defeated the Cheetahs on home shale this season, “Obviously, it’s good that we have beaten them already at home this season and that may give us that little bit of edge you are looking for on Friday. On the other hand, they should have their set-ups ready from the off.”
The former Redcar reserve believes 11 points from Redcar’s last 4 meetings has been a real team effort, “I can’t single out one particular rider that has stood out from our recent meetings. It has been great to see Kasper (Andersen) get back to what we know he can do in the last couple of meetings, Lewis (Kerr) and Erik (Riss) were great for us at Newcastle and Scunthorpe whilst our reserves have also been flying! As I said though, it has been a real team effort to get us the points.”
The former Berwick star also moved to allay a small minority of supporters worries after the recent cancellation of two Sunday fixtures for the Bears, “The fans have nothing to worry about in regards to the clubs finances, everything is completely fine in that department.”
The co-promoter expanded on the issues the club have faced, “The club is run by volunteers and unfortunately, we cannot run meetings without our volunteers, if certain people aren’t available it’s not as simple as getting a replacement for that meeting, you need training for certain roles that our volunteers have. As we have said, we are taking steps to ensure we can run Sunday fixtures in the future.”
In a speedway rarity, both sides track their full 1-7’s ahead of the clash with Redcar’s Lewis Kerr looking to keep up his impressive form for the Bears.
Meanwhile, the Oxford Cheetahs welcome back their Australian reserve Josh MaCdonald from his injury lay-off. The Cheetahs also track two former Grand Prix stars in Scott Nicholls and Troy Batchelor in the heat leader berths as they look to make a charge for the play-offs.
Fans who are unable to attend the Ecco Arena can follow the club’s official Twitter feed which will provide heat by heat updates from Friday’s Championship clash.
Redcar “Agilia” Bears
1 Charles Wright 8.95 ©
2 Adam Roynon 4.06
3 Erik Riss 7.79
4 Kasper Andersen 5.80
5 Lewis Kerr 8.15
6 Jason Edwards 3.29
7 Jordan Jenkins 3.26
TM Jade Mudgway
Oxford Cheetahs
1. Scott Nicholls 8.39 ©
2. Jack Thomas 5.54
3. Kyle Newman 4.88
4. Cameron Heeps 4.88
5. Troy Batchelor 8.00
6. Dillon Ruml 4.20
7. Josh MaConald 4.00
TM Jason Crump/ Peter Schroeck