Derby day delight for the Bears
In an evening unfortunately marred by several crashes, Redcar secured derby day bragging rights with a comfortable 39-21 victory over the Newcastle Diamonds. The meeting had to be abandoned after 10 heats with the curfew being reached, and the result will stand. Our first thoughts are with both injury victims, Ben Cook and Matthew Wethers.
Redcar started the meeting off in sensational fashion with 3 maximum heat advantages. The 4th heat of the evening saw a 4-2 heat advantage for the Bears as they took a 14 point lead. In Heat 5, Newcastle took their first shared heat as Ben Barker and the impressive Adam Roynon packed the minor placings. Heat 6 brought a glimmer of a comeback as Newcastle hit back with a 5-1 as James Wright and Matthew Wethers combined for a big win. The meeting saw its first of two major incidents in the sixth heat when Ben Cook came down trying an ambitious outside pass for the lead and was unfortunately forced to withdraw from the meeting.
After a lengthy delay, Heat 7 saw another shared heat as Redcar’s guest Stefan Nielsen continued his impressive evening with a win. Heat 9 saw Jake Allen complete a fantastic 9 point paid maximum although Matthew Wethers came to grief trying to team ride, his bike high-siding on bend 2, sending him heavily into the air fence. He suffered injuries as a result and we send our best wishes to the talented Aussie. The decision was made to run Heat 10 to get a result despite the curfew being passed and the crowd certainly got awarded for staying with the best race of the night as Charles Wright wound it on to pass Connor Mountain to end the night on a high.
Redcar’s team manager Jade Mudgway was relieved to secure the win, “I’m happy to get the 3 points and I hope the 2 injured riders make a quick recovery. Stefan Nielsen was great for us this evening, he always gives 100% and we are grateful for him doing us a favour.”
Redcar Bears = 39
1. Charles Wright 3, 1, 3 = 7
2. Ben Cook (G) 2*, 3, FX = 5+1 (withdrawn)
3. Jake Allen 2*, 3, 3 = 8+1 PAID MAX
4. Jordan Stewart R/R (BC 3, SN 0, DT 1 = 4)
5. Michael Palm Toft 3, 3 = 6 FULL MAX
6. Stefan Nielsen (G) 3, 0, 2*, 3, 1 = 9+1
7. Dan Thompson (G) 2*, 1, 1 = 4+1
Newcastle Diamonds = 21
1. Ben Barker 1, 1* = 2+1
2. Adam Roynon R, 2, 2 = 4
3. Connor Mountain 1, 1, 2 = 4
4. Max Clegg 0, 0 = 0
5. Matthew Wethers 2, 2*, FX^, FX = 4+1
6. James Wright 1, 3, 1*, 2 = 7+1
7. Archie Freeman 0, 0 = 0