Bears battle to another away win!

Redcar added another valuable 2 points to their Cab Direct Championship tally with a superb, nip and tuck, 46-44 away win at Birmingham. The Bears, who had the meeting won heading into heat 15, had Jason Edwards to thank for his stunning top score of 11+2 whilst Justin Sedgmen hit 14 for the Brummies.

Heat 1 began in perfect fashion for the Bears as Danyon Hume made an electric gate to take the win and with Charles Wright in a comfortable 2nd, Birmingham’s guest, Josh Pickering had no answer and the “Agilia” Bears had an early lead at Perry Barr. 

Heat 2 saw Luke Harrison and Paul Starke tangle entering bend 3 of the opening lap with Harrison excluded due to being the primary cause of the stoppage. The re-run saw the fast starting Sam Hagon gate to take the win despite early pressure from Jason Edwards and with Starke the 3rd finisher, Birmingham cut the early deficit to 2 points. 

The 3rd race of the evening saw Erik Riss gate but the German was passed by Troy Batchelor on bend 2 of the opening lap and with Alfie Bowtell in 3rd, Birmingham looked set to level the scores. However, the persistence of Redcar’s Connor Bailey saw the British U21 champion pass Bowtell on the run to the line to ensure a shared heat in the second city. 

Nevertheless, the Brummies did level the meeting in heat 4 as Justin Sedgmen rounded Danny King on the back straight of lap 1 to take the win, and with Starke in 3rd, Birmingham were back on level terms. However, the “Agilia” Bears are known for their fighting spirit and they edged ahead again in heat 5. Wright, clearly revelling in the number 1 race jacket, won comfortably and with Hume in 3rd, Redcar again had their noses in front.

Heat 6 saw a superb race as Edwards gated and after an early tussle with Pickering, King joined the Bears reserve at the front. Nevertheless, the Brummies guest, Pickering rode a wide line and unbelievably passed both Bears on the run to the line to turn a Bears 5-1 into a shared heat. Heat 7 saw the Brummies hit the front for the first time in the meeting as Sedgmen gated for a comfortable win whilst Hagon rode a superb outside line to pass both Bears to take the paid win. 

However, the home side’s lead was short lived as Redcar immediately responded with a 5-1 of their own as Hume and Edwards made blistering gates to take the win and send the Bears back into a 2 point lead of their own. After a shared heat 9 won by King, Birmingham pulled level with a heat 10 4-2. Pickering, who was looking more impressive by the race, won from the gate but Connor Bailey limited the damage for Redcar as he passed Stefan Nielsen for 2nd to ensure Redcar didn’t fall behind at Perry Barr. 

Heat 11 saw the balance tip in favour of the Bears again as Wright made it 3 wins from 3 to end Sedgmen’s perfect evening and with Hume holding off Hagon for 3rd, Redcar once again crept ahead. Heat 12 saw Redcar strike a huge blow with a superb 5-1 as Bailey and Edwards made light work of Troy Batchelor to send the Bears into a commanding 6 point lead over the Brummies. 

In the true fashion of a meeting that ebbed and flowed, Redcar’s lead was reduced to a familiar 2 point advantage as gates 1 and 3 helped Pickering and Sedgmen get the all important 5-1 to keep the hosts believing a home win was in sight. However, as quickly as the Brummies fans started believing, their hopes were dashed unceremoniously as Edwards capped off a superb evening to win heat 14 and with Riss sat in a comfortable 2nd, Redcar had an unassailable 39-45 lead heading into heat 15. 

The final race of a closely contested affair saw the Brummies pairing of Sedgmen and Pickering out-gate the Bears and secure a consolation 5-1. 

Birmingham = 44

1. Josh Pickering (G) = 11+2

2. Stefan Nielsen = 1

3. Troy Batchelor = 6

4. Alfie Bowtell = 4+1

5. Justin Sedgmen = 14

6. Sam Hagon = 6+1

7. Paul Starke = 2

Redcar = 46

1. Charles Wright = 9+1

2. Danyon Hume = 8

3. Connor Bailey = 6+1

4. Erik Riss = 5+1

5. Danny King = 7+1

6. Jason Edwards = 11+2

7. Luke Harrison = 0