Parr: Let’s hit reset!
Redcar team boss, Gavin Parr has hit the reset button as Redcar look to put their play-off campaign in their rear view mirror as the “Agilia” Bears travel to the Eddie Wright Raceway to take on Scunthorpe in the first leg of the KO Cup semi-final with tapes up at 7:30 in Lincolnshire.
Parr, coming towards the end of his opening year in charge, was enthused with the performances of some of his men against Glasgow with the boss first discussing Jason Edwards, “ I thought Jason had his best ever meeting for Redcar (Edwards scored 12). I was very impressed with how he went around the outside of (Ben) Basso and then shut the door on him. 10 weeks ago, Jason just wouldn’t have done that! “
The “Agilia” Bears boss was also impressed with the performances of Danyon Hume and Erik Riss, “ Danyon had another good night (7+3) and Erik (10+1) has started to show that he’s getting back to form, he was mixing it well and had a good match.”
The likeable Geordie, who will be donning the kevlars once more in Stuart Robson’s farewell meeting, also highlighted Redcar’s unfortunate luck throughout the play-offs, “ I think last night summed up how unlucky we’ve been in the play-offs. Firstly, we lost Charles (Wright), we then had to go to Oxford with only 3 of our own riders and then against Glasgow we lost Sedge (Justin Sedgmen) and Connor (Bailey) in the same race as Connor’s bike was bent after coming together with Justin.”
With Parr eager to claim victory at the Eddie Wright Raceway, he is aware of the threat Scunthorpe pose, “ We will of course be going to Scunthorpe to win the meeting but we know it will be another tough test. If we can’t go and get the win, we will be aiming to keep the deficit into single figures ahead of the second leg at home next Friday.”
Despite Redcar’s dreadful play-off luck, Parr has insisted that spirits remain high in the camp, “ Despite having a few defeats, the team spirit is still really high! With 4 of our riders involved in a play-off final at Premiership level, they want the opportunity to add another trophy to their haul in the KO Cup.”
Scunthorpe have the luxury of a full 1-7 with the ever impressive Ryan Douglas at number 1 whilst former Bears Jake Allen and Michael Palm-Toft have superb averages around the Eddie Wright Raceway at 7.81 and 8.86 respectively.
Meanwhile, the Bears bring in Leon Flint at number 4 after the Berwick skipper’s score of 11 for Redcar at Oxford. Erik Riss is at 5 with the German looking to hit another double figure score ahead of the crunch part of the season. Additionally, Luke Harrison again comes in for the Bears. Harrison, who is local to Scunthorpe and has a lot of experience around the Eddie Wright Raceway, scored an impressive paid 6 three weeks ago at Scunthorpe.
Any fans who are unable to make their way to Scunthorpe are reminded that the meeting will be live streamed @ tv.scunthorpe-speedway.com/
Scunthorpe Scorpions
1. Ryan Douglas 9.38
2. Connor Mountain 5.38
3. Simon Lambert © 6.15
4. Jake Allen 6.91
5. Michael Palm Toft 6.71
6. Nathan Ablitt 2.49
7. Drew Kemp 5.11
™: Dave Peet
Redcar “Agilia” Bears
1. Danny King © 8.54
2. Danyon Hume 4.88
3. Connor Bailey 5.60
4. Leon Flint (G) 8.00
5. Erik Riss 7.62
6. Jason Edwards 4.25
7. Luke Harrison (G) 3.14
™: Gavin Parr