Parr: Let’s pull off a shock!

Redcar boss Gavin Parr has challenged his Bears side “to pull off a shock” and overcome the Oxford Cheetahs in the KO Cup semi-finals. The first leg takes place at Oxford Stadium tonight with tapes up at 7:30. 

Parr, who knows his side have the tools to prevail, is mindful of the challenge the “Agilia” Bears face, ” We are under no illusions, Oxford are a great side but I don’t need to drum that into the riders, they know how well they have been doing. We can do the business if we have all seven guys firing at once so let’s go and pull off a shock.”

Parr also heaped praise on Charles Wright with the skipper bouncing back to his usual self after a small blip due to engine issues a few weeks ago, ” Charles had a real sticky spot which was all down to his engines. Charles spent a lot of money on an engine which he cannot get to work properly. It hit him hard and he switched back to his tried and tested engines and we have the Charles of old back. The skipper is also riding with a smile on his face which is a huge part of the sport, if you are a happy rider you will be at your best.”

Parr also focused on the ever improving Jason Edwards who hit another double figure score against Glasgow, ” Jason is just Jason! Everytime he goes out on track he just wants to learn and improve. People forget that he is only 22 and he was fantastic at Glasgow again.”

Redcar have called upon ex-Bear Jye Etheridge as a guest for Connor Bailey and Parr is excited to see what the Australian can bring to the side, ” Jye’s average has dropped into the bracket for him to replace Connor. Jye won the match for Berwick at Redcar which should help at home. Also, Jye is a gater and that’s half the battle at Oxford. He could be a big player for us across both legs.”

The Newcastle born boss welcomes Dan Gilkes back from illness with the Bears also drafting in the aforementioned Jye Etheridge as a guest for both meetings. Meanwhile, Oxford have called upon Jody Scott from the Oxford Chargers who guests in place of shoulder injury victim Adam Roynon. 

Supporters who cannot make the journey south are reminded that the match will be live streamed by Oxford at https://livestream.oxfordspeedway.club/ 

Oxford Cheetahs

1. Sam Masters 9.31

2. Cameron Heeps 6.31

3. Ashton Boughen 4.87

4. Jordan Jenkins 5.90

5. Scott Nicholls (C) 8.82

6. Luke Killeen 4.34

7. Jody Scott 3.55 (G)

TM Peter Schroeck

Redcar Agilia Bears

1. Charles Wright (C) 8.67

2. Dan Gilkes 5.21

3. Jye Etheridge 5.10 (G)

4. Jason Edwards 6.02

5. Danny King 8.17

6. Ben Trigger 3.07

7. Jake Mulford 4.38

TM Gavin Parr