Bears through to KO Cup Final!
Redcar Agilia Bears lost out 48-42 to Eastbourne on Saturday night, but it was good enough for them to go through to the KO Cup Final winning 92-88 on aggregate!
It was a superb all round effort from the Bears, who started with a superb 5-1 in the first race with guest Adam Ellis and Kasper Andersen to help settle any nerves. Indeed, instead of just hoping to hang on to their 10 point lead the Bears came out to win the meeting.
The scores were close throughout the night, with the Bears falling behind on the night for the first time in heat 12. And until the final heat, the Bears were never two more behind a strong Eastbourne side. A 3-3 in heat 14, with Jordan Stewart second and Nathan Greaves third secured the overall victory.
Guest Adam Ellis proved a shrewd choice, and top scored for the Bears with 10, but it was a solid effort throughout. Erik Riss scored 9+1, with Kasper Andersen and Nathan Greaves both scoring 8+1. Richard Lawson top scored for the hosts with 14. The only slight concern for the Bears was Michael Palm Toft withdrawing from the meeting after 2 rides.
Bears promoter Jitendra Duffill was delighted with his sides performance:
“Very proud of our Bears tonight who fought for every point and raced with passion and determination. To do it without Charles Wright and also losing Michael Palm Toft in the 2nd leg was even more impressive to me. It’s massive for Redcar to reach the KO Cup Final, especially as it will be an all North East final against Newcastle.”
Duffill also had words of praise for Eastbourne after what has been an excellent two meetings:
“It takes 2 teams to make a great meeting and I have a lot of respect for the Eastbourne team and their promotion who were excellent opposition and were nothing but gracious and complimentary in their defeat. We witnessed true sportsmanship this evening and I can’t thank them and their supporters enough for that.”
The Bears will now face Newcastle in an all North East Final, but before that make the trip to Scunthorpe on Sunday to face the Scorpions in league action.
Eastbourne = 48 (88)
1. Edward Kennett 1, 2, 2, 0 = 5
2. Georgie Wood R/R (DP 0, JE 1′, KN 2, DP 0 = 3+1)
3. Kyle Newman 1, 1, 2, 3, 3 = 10
4. Lewis Kerr 3, 3, 1, 3, 2′ = 12+1
5. Richard Lawson 2, 3, 3, 3, 3 = 14
6. Jason Edwards 1′, 1′, 1, 0, 1, 1, 0 = 5+2
7. Danny Phillips (G) 0, 2, 0, 0 = 2
8. Nick Lawrence DNR
Redcar = 42 (92)
1. Adam Ellis (G) 3, 2, 2, 2, 1 = 10
2. Kasper Andersen 2′, 0, 3, 3, Fx = 8+1
3. Michael Palm Toft 0, R = 0 Withdrawn
4. Jordan Stewart 2, 2, 1, 0, 2 = 7
5. Erik Riss 3, 3, 2, 1′, 0 = 9+1
6. Tom Woolley 0, 0, 0 = 0
7. Nathan Greaves 3, 1, 1, 2, 1′ = 8+1