Tigers triumph over gritty Bears
Tigers triumph over gritty Bears
Glasgow took their 4th win of their Cab Direct Championship campaign after a closely fought 48-42 win over the Redcar “Agilia” Bears. Chris Harris struck a stunning 16 for the Tigers whilst Charles Wright hit 14 for the Bears.
The patched-up Bears fought hard and also lost Jake Mulford after his second outing but managed to keep the gap to six points in the battle for the aggregate point.
The meeting started with a ding dong tussle for the heat win as Wright held off the hard charging Harris for the win, but with Mulford at the back, the spoils were shared in the opener.
The reserves race saw Max Perry take the win from Redcar’s Jody Scott, and with Freddy Hodder passing Ace Pijper on the opening lap, the hosts had the lead on home shale.
Heat three saw Glasgow hammer home their early advantage as Harris (covering as rider replacement for Dan Thompson) took his opening win of the match, and with their guest Tate Zischke in a comfortable 2nd, the hosts were in charge.
Redcar registered their first heat advantage as Danny King held off Kyle Howarth for the win, and with Pijper passing Perry (who then hit the deck) for 3rd, the Redcar travelling contingent had a 4-2 to cheer.
However, the Tigers immediately restored their six point cushion as Zischke won, and with Villads Nagel in 3rd, Glasgow made it a trio of heat advantages in the early knockings. Heat six saw yet another heat advantage as Harris won again, and with Nagel in 3rd despite pressuring King, the Glasgow supporters were eyeing a big home win.
Howarth took his first win in a shared heat seven with heat eight producing great racing. Pijper (who was improving with every ride), hit the front and had a superb battle with Nagel who made a pass stick on the final bend to take the win, but with Perry at the back, the gap remained at eight points in Scotland.
Heat nine saw Gavin Parr use his tactical substitute as Wright came into partner King, and with the Bears gating on a 5-1, it looked like the perfect change. However, with Howarth and Zischke passing King, Redcar remained eight in arrears.
After a change of bike, Jason Edwards gated alongside Redcar’s guest Jye Etherdidge. However, Harris passed Etheridge but Edwards was not for moving as he showed his speedway nous for the win, and with Etheridge 3rd, Redcar were back within six of the Tigers.
After Howarth got the better of Wright after an entertaining battle in a shared heat 11, Redcar got back within striking distance of the Tigers as the improving Edwards won ahead of Zischke, and with Scott holding off Perry, the Bears fans were sensing a comeback win.
However, heat 13 saw Glasgow edge towards victory as Harris and Wright passed for fun until ‘Bomber’ pulled away in lap four, and with Howarth 3rd, the 2023 league champions were closing in on an important home win.
The penultimate race saw Glasgow secure the win as Zischke won, but with Hodder at the back, the gap remained at six points. The final race saw Harris win, but with Edwards showing Howarth his back wheel, the final score was 48-42 which leaves the aggregate point in the balance for the return fixture at the ECCO Arena.
Glasgow Tigers = 48
1. Chris Harris = 16
2. Villads Nagel = 6+1
3. Dan Thompson R/R
4. Tate Zischke (G) = 11+2
5. Kyle Howarth = 11
6. Freddy Hodder = 1
7. Max Perry = 3
Redcar Bears = 42
1. Charles Wright = 14
2. Jake Mulford = 0 WITHDRAWN
3. Jason Edwards = 9+2
4. Jye Etheridge (G) = 5
5. Danny King = 5
6. Jody Scott = 4+1
7. Ace Pijper = 5+2