Mudgway: Let’s go one better this time!
Redcar boss Jade Mudgway has challenged his side to go to Armadale in the first leg of the play-off quarter-finals and improve on his side’s 47-43 KO Cup defeat in mid-August. Redcar will be wary of a hungry Monarchs side who will be after revenge after the Bears dumped the Scottish side out of the KO Cup just two weeks ago. The clash takes place this evening at 19:30 hours with the clash being streamed live by the British Speedway Network.
The Kiwi promoter said, “ I believe we can go one better than last time and that’s what we have got to be aiming to do! We are definitely capable of a better result but Edinburgh are a strong side so we will have to be on our game.”
The former Bears reserve is also disappointed to be without Jason Edwards and Erik Riss for the clash with Edwards still recovering from his shoulder injury he suffered whilst racing for Mildenhall. “ It’s not ideal going into the play-offs without our full 1-7 but we have just got to pull our bootstraps up and get on with it.”
The absence of Edwards can only be covered by the rider replacement facility and Mudgway believes the facility can work for the Bears, “ We have 3 riders in Jordan (Jenkins), Kasper (Andersen) and Kyle (Newman) who can do the job for us in covering Jason. Jason will be a big miss in the pits and on track but hopefully the 3 boys can cover him well.”
Mudgway is also confident that Aaron Summers (The Redcar guest at number 1) will do the job for his old side, “ I have no concerns in regards to Aaron coming in at number 1. Aaron is really good around Armadale, he is in great form and he has had a good year. I’m quite happy with the selection we have made.”
The Bears boss is also happy to see Jordan Jenkins scoring consistently good points in the Premiership as well as in the Championship for the Bears, “ In the second half of the season, Jordan has really stepped things up and hit some form. I’m really proud to have him, he has found something that works for him and it’s great to see him improving.”
Mudgway remains realistic about the chances this evening, “ I would be satisfied with a 48-42 defeat but I do believe we have the riders to go to Armadale and do better than that. At the same time, Edinburgh are a good side and they could easily win by more than 6 points. At the end of the day, it will come down to who wants it more on the night!”
Edinburgh are at full strength ahead of the crunch clash with Sam Masters and Josh Pickering sure to perform well on their home circuit. As mentioned, Redcar bring in Summers for Riss whilst rider replacement will be used to cover Jason Edwards.
Edinburgh Monarchs
1. Sam Masters 10.58 ©
2. Lasse Frederiksen 4.00
3. Kye Thomson 6.60
4. Paco Castagna 4.93
5. Josh Pickering 8.92
6. James Sarjeant 3.68
7. Jacob Hook 4.00
™: John Campbell
Redcar “Agilia” Bears
1. Aaron Summers 8.58 (G)
2. Rider Replacement for Jason Edwards
3. Charles Wright 8.00 (C)
4. Jordan Jenkins 4.93
5. Lewis Kerr 7.44
6. Kyle Newman 4.39
7. Kasper Andersen 4.10
™: Jade Mudgway