Redcar relentless in defeating Berwick
The Redcar “Agilia” Bears stormed to a 51-39 home success over the Berwick Bandits in the first leg of the KO Cup quarter-finals. The crowd enjoyed another exhilarating nights entertainment with Erik Riss top scoring with 11 whilst Harris hit 13 for the visitors.
Chris Harris started the meeting strongly with a win after passing a fast starting Adam Roynon on bend 3 of the opening lap. The second heat of an intriguing evening’s entertainment saw Jordan Jenkins hit the fence heavily but thankfully the Oxford man was okay. The re-run saw Jason Edwards make the gate but Kyle Bickley passed Edwards on the second bend to take the win despite strong pressure from the Englishman.
After a shared heat 3 won by Erik Riss the Bears recorded their first heat advantage in heat 4. Lewis Kerr took a comfortable win and with Jenkins battling past Bickley on the outside for 3rd Redcar levelled in the early stages. The Bandits forced their way back in front with Harris yet again proving how much he loves the Ecco Arena with another one and with Ty Proctor holding off Kasper Andersen Berwick nudged ahead again.
Berwick made it 4/6 heat winners with their American ace, Ricky Wells winning comfortably from the gate in heat 6. A fast improving Jason Edwards benefitted from an astute move by Lewis Kerr as the KIngs Lynn man moved Leon Flint out wide to allow Edwards through to send the Teessiders ahead for the first time.
Redcar seemed to be finding their groove with Jenkins taking a very impressive heat 8 win. All of the action was happening behind him as Proctor initially held second but the former Workington man was passed up the inside by a fast looking Roynon. The Cumbrian looked to have secured a paid win but Proctor used the outside cleverly to take 2nd to keep Berwick within 4.
Berwick forced their way back into the encounter as Wells continued an impressive night to take the win. Riss had bike problems at the start and thus failed to get off the start line but with Andersen splitting the Bandits they could only claw within 2.
The winner of heat 10 was warmly received by the audience as a fast, confident looking Adam Roynon took the win and with Wright riding shotgun the hosts went 6 ahead. Kerr ended Harris’ unbeaten run with a comfortable heat 11 win but with Edwards at the back, the Bears could not extend their lead again.
Riss, Redcar’s German sensation was back to winning ways in heat 12 and with Jenkins flying past both Bandits on the back straight of the opening lap the Teessiders surged into a 10 point lead. Heat 13 saw Wright and Harris exit bend 2 side by side until the British legend dived up the inside of Wright to take the win but the 10 point gap remained as Redcar filled the minor placings.
Redcar’s newest asset, Jason Edwards continued his stellar form with a fine win in heat 14 and with Andersen in third Redcar went 12 ahead. Heat 15 was a race to savour. Berwick initially made the gate and looked likely for a heat advantage but Riss stormed up the inside of Harris and then stuck to the outside at the climax of lap 1. Berwick’s Wells and Harris were not done yet though as they both nibbled at the heels of the German. Wells ever so nearly got around the outside of Riss at the end of lap 2 but a brilliant defensive ride by the German secured the win and a 12 point lead ahead of the second leg.
Redcar’s Jordan Jenkins was happy with his points return, “It’s been a decent evening, I had to switch bikes due to bending my first bike but my spare worked well.”
The newest SGB Premiership rising star praised the effort of the full side to take the win, “Everyone was going really well tonight, if we can all keep going like that we can go places this season.”
Jenkins also updated fans on his recent injury troubles, “I had my crash at Mildenhall, unfortunately, I still have a bump on my shin and my crash tonight didn’t help matters! From my waist down I am pretty sore at the moment but I can’t dwell, I have a busy schedule coming up and I need to get my head down.”
Redcar Bears = 51
- Charles Wright = 7+2
- Adam Roynon = 7+1
- Erik Riss = 11
- Kasper Andersen = 3
- Lewis Kerr = 10+1
- Jason Edwards = 7+1
- Jordan Jenkins = 6+1
Berwick Bandits = 39
- Chris Harris = 13
- R/R for Jye Etheridge = 2+1
- Theo Pijper = 3+1
- Leon Flint = 6+1
- Ricky Wells = 9+1
- Ty Proctor = 5
- Kyle Bickley = 3