Bears bidding for Kings bounce back!
Redcar are hoping to get back to winning ways after their dramatic draw against the Berwick Bandits when they take on the much strengthened, revitalised Kent Kings tonight, (19:30 start) at the Media Prima Arena.
The Bears are looking to close the gap on league leaders Poole by claiming 3 points against the 2021 Championship newcomers. Redcar are currently sat on 35 points after 16 meetings whilst the Poole Pirates hold a 5 point lead on 40 points at the Championship summit. Glasgow are currently sat third in the Championship table on 30 points but the Scottish giants have 3 meetings in hand on the Bears.
The “Agilia” Bears track the same side from Sunday’s draw against Berwick as Lewis Kerr and Ryan Kinsley will be looking for improved performances as they both make their 2nd appearances as full-time Bears. Much of the outcome of Friday’s meeting will depend on Redcar’s rising star Jordan Jenkins who showed improved form in Redcar’s two weekend fixtures and the Norwich man is excited for another important SGB Championship meeting, “The Kent meeting is going to be a tough meeting for sure as they’ve got a really strong team from 1-7, you’ve just got to look at the likes of Scotty (Nicholls) and Troy (Batchelor). I think that Lewi (Kerr) and Ryan (Kinsley) can settle in and do really well for us. Personally, I’m feeling a lot better since getting my engine sorted and I’d like to say thank you to everyone who supported me whilst I was struggling but I’ve found the problem and I’m keen to kick on now!”
Kent have been scheduled to visit the Media Prima Arena twice already this season but due to inclement weather the meetings were postponed. Since the two postponements the Kings have strengthened their septet considerably with the signings of Troy Batchelor and Jake Mulford. Batchelor is a former Grand Prix star who has had a strong start to Championship life with several maximums for the Kings. Whilst their youngster, Mulford picked up 6 points in the British under 21 final which was held at Redcar and has picked up some good wins for Kent so far, including defeating Nathan Greaves and Kasper Anderson on home shale. His reserve partner for the Kings, Dan Gilkes has been ultra impressive in his 2 visits to Redcar this season, winning the under 21 semi-final whilst he finished an impressive 3rd place in the final which was enough to see him take his rightful place on the podium. Kent are at full strength ahead of the meeting as they look to make an unlikely charge for the 6th position in the league which would be enough to see them qualify for the play-offs.
Redcar Agilia Bears.
1. Charles Wright 8.86 (C)
2. James Sarjeant 4.78
3. Jake Allen 8.15
4 Lewis Kerr 7.48
5. Michael Palm Toft 7.28
6. Ryan Kinsley 3.17
7. Jordan Jenkins 2*
TM Jade Mudgway
Kent TouchTec Kings
1. Troy Batchelor 11.09
2. Ben Morley 4.36
3. Paul Starke 6.65
4. Cameron Heeps 5.38
5. Scott Nicholls 9.33 (C)
6. Jake Mulford 2.00
7. Dan Gilkes 1*
Team Manager Chris Hunt