Swales: Time to be heroes!
REDCAR co-promoter Jamie Swales has challenged his “Agilia” Bears side to “be heroes” ahead of tomorrow night’s crunch MAXiCab KO Cup Final second leg at the ECCO Arena. The action gets underway at 7:30pm with Redcar looking to regain the KO Cup after the club’s cup success back in 2019.
The Bears co-promoter recognises the size of the task that faces the Bears, but he has challenged his side to “be heroes”. Swales said, “ The boys can go out and be heroes tomorrow, we know it’s quite a lead but we aren’t going to give up, that’s for certain.”
Despite a 14 point defeat at Wimborne Road, Swales believes his side performed better than the scoreline suggested. Swales said, “ I actually thought we rode better than the result, we were gating well but the Poole riders used their home track knowledge to get themselves into the lead coupled with a couple of slight mistakes by our boys.”
Redcar have drafted in 2024 Bear Ben Trigger to guest in place of Jody Scott who returns from concussion on Sunday and Swales knows the damage Trigger can cause at the ECCO Arena.
Swales said, “ We know what Ben can do at Redcar, we saw that last season and when he guested for us earlier in 2025 so I think he and Ace Pijper can be a powerful reserve pairing.”
The “Agilia” Bears have also brought in Leon Flint with Swales excited to see what the 2025 breakout star can do. Swales said, “ Leon is a great choice of guest, I don’t think it matters that he is riding for Glasgow against us at the ECCO Arena two days later as he knows the track like the back of his hand anyway.”
Despite defeat at Wimborne Road, Swales singled out Charles Wright and Ace Pijper for praise after the pair combined to hit paid 20 for Redcar. Swales explained, “ Charles was his usual self, putting it all out there. Ace covered really well at reserve as Freddy (Hodder) was having issues with his equipment, I think he was man of the match for us actually.”
The Bears bring in the aforementioned Leon Flint to guest for Erik Riss whilst Ben Trigger makes a welcome return to Redcar colours in place of Jody Scott. Poole are at full strength with Lewi Kerr hoping to replicate Sunday’s performance in tomorrow’s Cup Final.
Any supporters who are unable to attend the meeting are reminded that the match will be live streamed by BSN @ watch.britishspeedway.co.uk
Season ticket holders are reminded that this meeting is not part of their ticket package but season ticket holders do get 10% off their entry to the fixture.
Redcar “Agilia” Bears
1 Charles Wright (C) 9.11
2 Jake Mulford 4.37
3 Jason Edwards 6.60
4 Leon Flint 7.12 (G)
5 Danny King 8.81
6 Ben Trigger (G) 3.92
7 Ace Pijper 4.14
™: Gavin Parr
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
™: Gary Havelock