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The Middlesbrough Tigers face a fascinating double-header this weekend as they take on Edinburgh Academy twice in the space of just 24 hours.

The Tigers first head north to Armadale on Friday evening before returning to Teesside on Saturday night for the return fixture at the ECCO Arena.

There is extra motivation for the Tigers, who will be looking to finally get the monkey off their backs and record a first victory over their Scottish rivals after Edinburgh have won all four previous meetings between the sides.

Predicting the outcome of these two clashes is far from straightforward. Several riders remain relatively unknown quantities, with some new to National Development League racing, some making their debuts at the respective circuits and others returning after spells away from the sport.

Edinburgh’s James Shanes, who has recently impressed in non-league meetings, and Tigers newcomer Alex Spooner, who replaces retired Kai Ward, are both returning after lengthy absences from racing. Meanwhile Anika Loftus, Ben Whalley, and Harry Sadler are all set for their first taste of Armadale.

The Academy possess a strong spearhead in Jordy Loftus, Dayle Wood, and James Shanes, particularly on Friday when the Tigers will be without Nathan Ablitt, who is on Championship duty with Scunthorpe, Seth Norman deputises.

However, Middlesbrough may have the edge in overall strength throughout the team, while Saturday’s home meeting receives a further boost with Ablitt returning to the line-up.

The tight and technical nature of Armadale could favour the hosts in Friday’s encounter, whereas the more open ECCO Arena may suit the Tigers better on Saturday night.

The performances of the highly promising Charlie Southwick could also prove pivotal across both meetings.

One thing is certain — with two teams eager to make their mark, these meetings have all the ingredients for a pair of thrilling contests.

Two meetings. Twenty-four hours. One big weekend for the Tigers.

📍 Friday – Armadale Stadium | 7:30pm
📍 Saturday – ECCO Arena | 7:30pm

Edinburgh: Jordy Loftus, Jamie Halder, Connor Coles r/r, James Shanes, Dayle Wood, Ben Whalley, Anika Loftus

Middlesbrough (Friday): Ace Pijper, Alex Spooner, Jade Mudgway, Stene Pijper, Seth Norman (G), Harry Sadler, Charlie Southwick
Middlesbrough (Saturday): Ace Pijper, Alex Spooner, Jade Mudgway, Stene Pijper, Nathan Ablitt, Harry Sadler, Charlie Southwick

REDCAR’s home league campaign got off to the worst possible start as Poole took a 51-39 win at the ECCO Arena. Lewi Kerr returned to Redcar with a dazzling paid 17 (14+3) whilst Will Cairns struck paid 16 (15+1) for the reigning Cab Direct Championship Champions.

The Bears held the lead after 9 heats but the visitors were too strong in the latter stages, outscoring the Bears 28-11 in the last 6 heats. Jake Allen hit paid 14 (13+1) for Redcar, including a stunning heat 15 success but the Bears were outgunned overall, with attention now turning to tonight’s trip to Sheilfield Park to take on Berwick.

After a slight delay due to a tapes issue, the Bears started in superb style as Nicolai Klindt took a tapes to flag win to make it seven race wins on the spin, and with Jake Mulford using his home track knowledge to hold off William Cairns and Richard Lawson, Redcar struck the first blow.

Heat two saw Cairns make the gate, but with Poole’s guest, Harry Sadler hitting the deck, the race was stopped and the Poole guest was excluded. The re-run saw Cairns again trap perfectly for a comfortable win, but as the lone Pirate, Redcar’s four point lead remained intact.

Poole hit back with a big 5-1 in heat three as the ex-Bears duo, Lewi Kerr and Kyle Newman made the gate, and took the maximum heat advantage, despite Jason Edwards’ best efforts. Jake Allen opened his account with a win, but with Zach Cook capitalising on a mistake from Jody Scott, the Poole skipper ensured it was only a 4-2 for the hosts.

Lawson returned to winning ways in heat 5 as he took the heat win, and with rider replacement Kerr in second, Redcar were in arrears for the first time at 14-16. Redcar levelled matters in heat 6 as Mulford took a mightily impressive win, and with Klindt battling his way into 3rd, Redcar had parity.

After Kerr won a shared heat seven, Scott took a scintillating win, and with Mulford pipping the impressive young Sadler on the run to the line, Redcar re-took the lead with a 4-2 to lead 25-23 on home shale. Edwards returned to winning ways in heat 9, but with Jordan Jenkins at the back, Redcar could not extend their advantage.

Kerr continued on his merry way with a superb backstraight run on lap 1 for the win, and with Newman seeing off Klindt, the Pirates opened up a 2 point lead on aggregate.

After a shared heat won by Allen, Poole struck a major blow in heat 12 as Cairns won, and with Kerr battling into 2nd, the visitors opened up a six point advantage. Despite Klindt making the gate in heat 13, both Pirates battled past for a match winning 5-1 to give Poole a statement away win.

Heat 14 saw the impressive Cairns win, and with Newman 3rd, Poole pressed home their advantage. The final race of the evening was a stunner as Allen bounced off the back straight fence to pass both Pirates for the win to deny Kerr a paid maximum, but with Scott at the back, Redcar could not finish with a consolation heat advantage.

Redcar Bears = 39

1. Nicolai Klindt = 5
2. Jake Mulford = 6+1
3. Jordan Jenkins = 0
4. Jason Edwards = 5
5. Jake Allen = 13+1
6. Ace Pijper = 4
7. Jody Scott = 6+1

Poole Pirates = 51

1. Richard Lawson = 9
2. Fraser Bowes R/R
3. Lewis Kerr = 14+3
4. Kyle Newman = 7+2
5. Zach Cook = 6+1
6. William Cairns = 15+1
7. Harry Sadler (G) = 0

Due to a change in the forecast, tonight’s meeting at Berwick has been postponed.

A restaging date will be announced in due course

Tonight it’s Redcar Agilia Bears Vs Poole Pirates!

The Redcar Bears have a full 1-7.

The Poole Pirates are without Fraser Bowes and will operate rider replacement.

Redcar: Nicolai Klindt, Jake Mulford, Jordan Jenkins, Jason Edwards, Jake Allen, Ace Pijper, Jody Scott

Poole: Richard Lawson, Fraser Bowes r/r, Lewis Kerr, Kyle Newman, Zach Cook, William Cairns, Cooper Rushen

Ecco Arena

Tapes up 7:30

Tickets – https://shorturl.at/yWsvA

Tonight’s (8th May) meeting against Poole has been postponed due to the poor weather forecast.

This will be re-staged next Friday, 15th May.

The Agilia Bears head south on Wednesday night to kick off their Championship campaign with one of the toughest tests in the league — a trip to face Poole Pirates at Wimborne Road.

Fresh from sealing their place in the semi-finals of the BSN Trophy with another impressive away performance, the Bears arrive full of confidence. However, they now face a venue that has proven to be one of the most formidable in British speedway.

Since joining the Championship in 2021, Poole have turned Wimborne Road into a fortress, suffering just three home defeats in that time. In contrast, Redcar have found visits there challenging, with their best result from ten attempts being a hard-earned draw — although they pushed the Pirates all the way in 2024, only losing in the final heat.

Promoter Jamie Swales said:
“We seem to visit Poole so often now that it almost feels like the longest distance derby match in sport. We’ve raced some big occasions against them over the last few years and we finally got one over them last year. There is a mutual respect between the clubs though and it’s always a fixture I look forward to.”

This year’s Bears side, however, has shown real spirit and determination, and will be looking to take that momentum into what promises to be another fiercely competitive encounter.

One of the most intriguing battles on the night could come from the reserve berths, where two exciting young pairings go head-to-head. Poole’s Cairns and Rushen have earned a growing reputation, but the Bears’ duo of Ace Pijper and Jody Scott have been in outstanding form in recent meetings and will be eager to stake their claim as one of the league’s top reserve pairings.

While Wimborne Road can favour those who gate well, Redcar have shown they have the tools to compete — and if they can make the starts, they have every chance of pushing the hosts all the way.

A tough opener — but one the Bears will relish.

Poole: Richard Lawson, Fraser Bowes, Lewis Kerr, Kyle Newman, Zach Cook, William Cairns, Cooper Rushen

Redcar: Nicolai Klindt, Jake Mulford, Jordan Jenkins, Jake Allen, Jason Edwards, Ace Pijper, Jody Scott

The Agilia Bears, fresh from their Knock-Out Cup success, head to Cumbria this Saturday looking to defend a six-point lead from the first leg and secure their place in the BSN Series semi-finals.

Recent visits to Workington have been productive for the Bears, with three wins from five trips to Northside, including two comfortable victories in 2025. However, this Comets side looks much stronger this season and will provide a stern test on home shale.

New signing Jonas Jeppesen — who fired in an 18-point maximum at Northside last weekend — gives Workington serious firepower. Add in the experience of Troy Batchelor and an improving Tate Zischke, and the hosts have plenty of strength throughout the side.

Workington are, however, hit by injuries, with Niklas Holm Jakobsen ,Vinnie Foord and Craig Cook all ruled out. The Comets will run r/r for Jakobsen, with Kyle Howarth coming in for Cook and Ryan Ingram for Foord. One change that has been announced sees youngster Jamie Etherington replaced by Max Perry.

For Redcar, the task is clear. A solid performance and two points on the night would guarantee progression regardless of other results in the group. With several qualification scenarios still in play, the Bears’ emphatic win over Scunthorpe earlier in the campaign could yet prove decisive if it comes down to race points.

The Bears will also take confidence from their recent draw at Armadale, while in-form reserves Ace Pijper and Jody Scott continue to impress.

Redcar: Nicolai Klindt, Jake Mulford, Jordan Jenkins, Jake Allen, Jason Edwards, Ace Pijper, Jody Scott

Workington: Jonas Jeppesen, r/r, Kyle Howarth (g), Tate Zischke, Troy Batchelor, Ryan Ingram, Max Perry

The Middlesbrough Tigers return to home action tonight on the back of a historic result — securing both their first away NDL win and their first-ever victory over the Oxford Chargers last Sunday.

It was an outstanding all-round team performance at Cowley, led superbly by skipper Ace Pijper, but there will be no room for complacency. The Chargers remain a formidable outfit, featuring five riders from last season’s Championship-winning side, along with an inspirational captain who knows his way around the ECCO Arena.

The Tigers make two changes for the clash. Freddy Hodder comes into the side to replace Nathan Ablitt, who is on Championship duty with Scunthorpe, while former Redcar Cub Seth Norman lines up at No.2 in place of Kai Ward, who has made the decision to step away from the sport.

Both guests are more than capable of stepping in, and the Tigers will be looking for another strong team performance as they aim to build momentum early in the season.

Oxford, meanwhile, will arrive determined to respond after last weekend’s defeat on home shale, setting up what promises to be a fiercely contested encounter.

Middlesbrough: Ace Pijper, Seth Norman (G), Stene Pijper, Jade Mudgway, Freddy Hodder (G), Harry Sadler, Charlie Southwick

Oxford: Jody Scott, Mason Watson, Senna Summers, Ashton Vale, Daryl Ritchings, Harry Fletcher, Max Broadhurst

The Middlesbrough Tigers have been forced into an early-season team change after it became clear that Ben Trigger will be unable to commit to the season ahead.

Ben has been a high performer at NDL level, and riders of a similar calibre are not readily available . As a result, the club has acted swiftly to ensure the side remains competitive.

We are pleased to welcome a familiar face, with Jade Mudgway stepping in to the Tigers. Jade is well known to everyone at the club and brings a wealth of experience to what is a very young team.

He will go straight into the line-up this Sunday for the trip to Oxford.

We’d like to place on record our thanks to Ben and wish him well in the future.

The Agilia Bears head north to Armadale Stadium this Friday with a 12-point advantage as they look to book their place in the Knock-Out Cup semi-finals against Edinburgh Monarchs.

Recent visits to Armadale have proved productive for the Bears, with wins in 2023 (47–43) and 2024 (46–44), and even last season’s narrow defeat would still be enough to see Redcar progress given their current lead from the first leg.

Edinburgh, however, will be expecting a big response on home shale. The Monarchs will point to below-par returns at the ECCO Arena from key men Dan Thompson and Justin Sedgmen, along with a quiet night from their reserves — all of whom are likely to improve significantly in front of their own supporters.

But the Bears can make the same argument. Both Nicolai Klindt and Jake Mulford posted uncharacteristically low scores in the first leg, and a return to their usual levels would further strengthen Redcar’s position.

There is no doubt this will be a tough, no-holds-barred contest. Edinburgh boast a powerful top five capable of piling on the points, and the tight, technical nature of the Armadale circuit provides a clear home advantage.

TEAMS

Edinburgh Monarchs
Dan Thompson
Jonatan Grahn
Justin Sedgmen
Paco Castagna
Kye Thomson
Mitchell Cluff
Jordy Loftus

Redcar Agilia Bears
Nicolai Klindt
Ace Pijper
Jordan Jenkins
Jake Allen
Jason Edwards
Jake Mulford
Jody Scott