Parr: Let’s bounce back!
REDCAR boss Gavin Parr has challenged his “Agilia” Bears side to “bounce back” and “dust themselves down and go again” as Redcar travel to Poole tonight in the first leg of the MAXiCab KO Cup Final with tapes up at 7:30pm at Wimborne Road.
Parr, who admits he was disappointed after his side’s play-off exit, knows Redcar must turn their attentions to another trophy chase. Parr said, “ We had Monday to think about what happened on Sunday but we now have to switch back on to the job in hand. The KO Cup is now the focus so we need to dust ourselves down and bounce back against Poole tonight.”
The cycle speedway man knows the Pirates were the better side three days ago, “ Poole were the better team, it’s as simple as that. They had their gating gloves on and they were getting to the first bends before us more often than not which was vital on Sunday.”
The passionate team boss is keen for the Bears to “keep it close or win” tonight to set up a mouthwatering second leg on Friday. Parr said, “ We are going to Poole to win or at least keep it close which will set things up perfectly for the second leg at the ECCO Arena on Friday.”
Despite play-off heartbreak, the former Redcar Cub knows the 2025 campaign can still be a huge success. Parr said, “ Don’t forget, we have already won the pairs so if we can get the KO Cup and/or the BSN Series, it would be our best ever season.”
Parr was happy with the performance of the middle order against Poole with the Bears boss hoping for more of the same tonight. Parr said, “ The middle order performed well on Sunday so I’m hoping for more of the same. For our matches this weekend, we have had to change our plans due to the eight day rule so Leon Flint guests on Friday and Jake on Sunday.”
Redcar once again call on the services of the in-form Jake Allen but at reserve, the Bears management have had to replace Darryl Ritchings who was scheduled to guest for Jody Scott with the former Pirate suffering a hand injury this past weekend. Glasgow’s Freddy Hodder steps in at number six to cover for Scott who will return on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Poole welcome back Richard Lawson with the rest of the side unchanged from Sunday’s play-off victory on Teesside. The Pirates are chasing a second tier treble with this the first of three finals they will compete in over the rest of the season.
Fans who cannot make the trip south are reminded that the meeting will be live streamed by BSN @ watch.britishspeedway.co.uk
Poole Pirates
1. Richard Lawson 9.83
2. Tobias Thomsen 4.81
3. Lewis Kerr 6.94
4. Zach Cook (C) 7.34
5. Anders Rowe 7.57
6. Paul Starke 4.13
7. William Cairns 3.91
™: Neil Middleditch
Redcar “Agilia” Bears
1 Charles Wright (C) 9.11
2 Jake Mulford 4.37
3 Jason Edwards 6.60
4 Jake Allen 7.12 (G)
5 Danny King – 8.81
6 Freddy Hodder (G) 3.92
7 Ace Pijper 4.14
™: Gavin Parr