Bears fall agonisingly close

Despite a brave, fighting performance, Redcar Agilia Bears fell to a 49-41 defeat at Edinburgh on Friday night, just missing out on a league point.

On a track the Bears have historically struggled on, the night started off badly with Edinburgh getting a 5-1 in the first heat. Indeed after the first four heats, and four Edinburgh heat winners, the score was 15-9 to the home side. A heat 5 win from Charles Wright, with Tom Bacon getting third was the start of the fightback from the Bears. A two further 4-2s for the Bears saw the scoreline level at 21-21 after 7 heats.

Edinburgh soon took control again however, with the impressive Victor Palovaara leading the Monarchs to two successive 5-1s and giving the home side a 8 point lead again. Despite the Bears best efforts, the Monarchs held on for the win and agonisingly for the Bears they also fell just short of snatching a league point.

It was a good solid effort from the team, with Michael Palm Toft top scoring with 13, with both Wright and Jordan Stewart getting two wins each on their way to 7 and 7+1. Palovaara top scored for the Monarchs with 13+1.

The Bears do not have long to wait for their next meeting, as they face Edinburgh at home on Saturday night with a 7:30pm start.

Edinburgh Monarchs : 49 
1. Ricky Wells — 2′, 2, 2′, 3, 1 = 10+2
2. Victor Palovaara — 3, 0, 1′, 3, 3, 3 = 13+1
3. Josh Pickering — F WITHDRAWN = 0
4. Joel Andersson — 3, 2, 2′, 2, 2 = 11+1
5. Cameron Heeps — 3, 2, 2, 1 = 8
6. William Lawson — 3, 0, 2, 0, 0, 1′ = 6+1
7. Connor Coles (G) — 0, 1, 0 = 1

Redcar Bears : 41 
1. Charles Wright — 1, 3, 3, 0, 0 = 7
2. Tom Bacon — 0, 1, 3, 1 = 5
3. Ulrich Ostergaard — 2, 1, 1, 1 = 5
4. Jordan Stewart — 1′, 3, 0, 3 = 7+1
5. Michael Palm Toft — 2, 3, 1, 3, 2, 2 = 13
6. Nathan Greaves — 2, 1, 0, 0 = 3
7. Jack Smith — 1′, 0, F = 1+1