Category: Bears News

Redcar SG Petch Bears closed the gap to the top 4 in the league, with a 52-40 win over the Edinburgh Monarchs at the Media Prima Arena on Thursday.

On a warm evening on Teesside, it was the Monarchs who started the faster with a 4-2 in heat 1 thanks to Sam Masters and the returning Theo Pijper. That was as good as it got for the Monarchs however, with Coty Garcia and Danny Ayres getting a 5-1 to give the Bears a lead which they never relinquished. With the Monarchs 10 points adrift going into heat 10, Erik Riss was sent out in the black and white helmet for double points, but he could only manage second as the excellent Jonas B Andersen powered home for the win and hopes of a Monarchs comeback never recovered. 

Four shared heats followed, meaning a 5-1 for the Monarchs in the last heat would have seen them go home with a consolation point. Man of the moment Ben Barker shot out of the gate to take the win, after having to fight off a challenge from Sam Masters. Masters himself had to fend off a strong challenge from Andersen, but it meant the full 3 points for the Bears and no points for the Monarchs.

Bears promoter Kevin Keay was delighted with the performance of his side:

A great result for the club with all the team pulling together and getting points at vital times. We managed to nullify their tactical ride move and went on to win more comfortable they expected.

For the Bears, Barker top scored with a excellent 13, whilst Andersen had arguably his best night of the season with 11+1 but it was a solid team effort throughout. For the Monarchs, Masters and Riss were both excellent with 13 each but they lacked support from the rest of the side. 

Next Thursday, there is no home meeting at the Media Prima Arena as the Bears travel to Sheffield. The next home meeting is on Friday, with Sheffield travelling to Teesside in the reverse fixture.

Redcar Bears : 52
1. Lewis Kerr (G) – 0 3 1 1′ = 5+1
2. Jonas B Andersen – 2 2′ 3 3 1 = 11+1
3. Ben Barker – 2 3 3 2 3 = 13
4. Ellis Perks – 1′ 1 1 2 = 5+1
5. Charles Wright – 3 2 1′ 2 = 8+1
6. Coty Garcia – 3 0 2 1′ = 6+1
7. Danny Ayres – 2′ 0 1 1′ = 4+2

Edinburgh Monarchs : 40
1. Sam Masters – 3 2 3 3 2 = 13
2. Theo Pjiper – 1 0 0 0 = 1
3. Erik Riss – 3 3 4! 3 0 = 13
4. Max Clegg – 0 1 0 3 = 4
5. Ricky Wells – 2 1 2 0 = 5
6. Josh Pickering – 1 0 0 = 1
7. Mitchell Davey – 0 1′ 2 0 0 = 3+1

Unfortunately, Redcar SG Petch Bears will be without Jason Garrity for this Thursdays meeting with Edinburgh due to injury.

Scunthorpe’s Lewis Kerr will come in as guest at number 1.

As usual, Redcar SG Petch Bears promoter Kevin Keay will be appearing on BBC Tees Sport from around 6:50pm tonight.
He will be previewing this weeks clash with Edinburgh, as well as providing the latest news on the Glasgow situation after the meeting was abandoned and then awarded earlier in the month.

To listen live, follow this  link

After Ben Barker’s terrific performance in the British a Final last night it was easy to miss that fellow Bear Jason Garrity was struggling with his hand injury and withdrew from his final ride. Plans are in place for a guest rider should Jason not be fit enough to ride against the Edinburgh Monarchs on Thursday and may also be a doubt for the away match at Berwick on Saturday. At the moment the Bears are also struggling to find opposition for the vacant race night on the 6th July in which case a social night will take place in support of Ellis Perks.

Redcar SG Petch Bears will be looking to keep their home run going with a win against the league leading Edinburgh Monarchs at the Media Prima Arena on Thursday (7:30pm start).

The Bears had a convincing win against local rivals Newcastle last week, and manager Jitendra Duffill was thankful for the 3 guests on show and their clubs for helping out the patched up Bears:

Last week was a very convincing victory for us and I expected a much tougher contest. I have to thank all 3 of our guests who were excellent and also to the promotions/year managers who have allowed us to borrow them. We are very lucky that other teams have been so accommodating. 

Coty Garcia dropped to reserve for the meeting last Thursday, and with the help of a new engine, roared to a paid 10 from his 4 rides. Duffill hopes this can give the popular Argentine a boost for the rest of the season:

The big difference between us last week were our reserves and it proves just how vital they are. I was pleased to see Coty go so well and I hope he can really kickstart the rest of his season with his drop to reserve. It’s amazing what that can do for a riders confidence.

Redcar go into this meeting with the rare luxury of naming a full 1-7, including Ben Barker who impressed everyone in his British Final showing on Monday evening. The proud Brit defied the critics to take his place in the final of the meeting and provided great entertainment along the way. Duffill hopes with the full team together the Bears can show how strong they are:

At the time of writing this we are declaring our full 1-7 to Edinburgh and I honestly can’t remember the last time I was able to do that this year. I hope that this is the start of our luck changing and that we can avoid injury from here onwards. If we can do that we can cause a few upsets in the coming months I’m sure. If we want to push for a play off spot we have to keep winning at home and start picking a few more points up on the road too.

Edinburgh come to the Media Prima Arena in good form, and like most sides have a number of riders who go round the Teesside track well. Sam Masters and Ricky Wells both fly round the MPA, and the Monarchs new signing Theo Pijper also has had some good meetings here. Duffill expects a tough meeting, but one he thinks the Bears should go in with no fear:

Edinburgh are a very good side and are sitting at the top end of the league for a reason. Tonight’s meeting should be another tough one for us, but I also see it as a good opportunity to pinch a few points off them and close the gap between them and us.

Redcar: Jason Garrity, Jonas B Andersen, Ben Barker, Ellis Perks, Charles Wright, Coty Garcia, Danny Ayres
Edinburgh: Sam Masters, Theo Pijper, Erik Riss, Max Clegg, Ricky Wells, Josh Pickering, Mitchell Davey

Big congratulations to SG Petch Bears rider Ben Barker, who last night finished 4th in the British Final. Barker was one of the stars of the show, and arguably the most entertaining rider on the night. 

The meeting was won by Craig Cook, who after 3 second places finally becomes British Champion. He will now also take his place at the British GP in Cardiff as a wildcard. Steve Worrall and Rory Schlein completed the top 3.

Congratulations to all.

Good luck to SG Petch Bears Ben Barker and Jason Garrity, who are riding in the British Final tonight at Belle Vue.

The meeting is being broadcast live on BT Sports, with a start time of 19:30. This will also be shown live in Middlesbrough Rugby and Cricket Club on Green Lane in Middlesbrough if you wish to watch the meeting with fellow Bears Fans!

Former Teesside and Middlesbrough ‘legend’ Steve Wilcock and his wife Jacky will be guests of honour at the Media Prima Arena this Thursday when the Bears take on the Edinburgh Monarchs. Steve had a long and successful career with the club and was one of the most popular riders every to grace the old Cleveland Park Stadium.

Promoter Kevin Keay said “I’ve noticed several former Tigers/ Bears riders in attendance recently, including the heroes from the 1981 title winning side so thought it was time to ask Steve and Jacky along to sample the new atmosphere at the club. Steve was certainly one of my heroes and was a long serving stalwart on Teesside. None of us of a certain age can forget his effortless style and his ability to score big points wherever he rode”.

The Bears hope to have a full side out against the Monarchs who are currently top of the championship table. Bears Jason Garrity and Ben Barker line up at the National Speedway Stadium in Manchester tomorrow in the British final, it would be great to see a Bear at the Cardiff Grand Prix!

Injury hit Redcar SG Petch Bears ran out comfortable 55-37 winners against the Newcastle Diamonds at the Media Prima Arena on Thursday night.

The Bears went into the meeting without four of their normal starting lineup, but the 3 Bears and 3 guests put on a superb performance to give Redcar the 3 points on the night. After an opening heat 3-3. the Bears took a 5-1 in heat two thanks to Coty Garcia and guest Liam Carr and never looked back. Robert Lambert and Steve Worrall provided good resistance for Newcastle, but the Geordies only heat advantage came in heat 15 when Lambert and Ludvig Lindgren recorded a 5-1 with the meeting already over.

For the Bears, guest Ulrich Ostergaard top scored with 12+, but it was truly a team effort with all riders getting at least a paid win. Captain for the night Ben Barker scored 11+2 with Jonas B Andersen scoring 10+2. Barker produced the right of the night in heat 7, after making a mess of bend two he was stone last but produced two great passes to get by Lindgren and Lewis Rose for a fine second place.

Bears promoter Kevin Keay was delighted with the win, and heaped praise on Jitendra Duffill:

Jitendra showed what a good team manager he can be with a great selection of well motivated guests tonight. I expected a much closer scoreline but all 6 riders contributed to a convincing win and lifted the clubs’ spirits after a difficult period of late

The Bears are next in action at home next Thursday, when league leaders the Edinburgh Monarchs visit the Media Prima Arena.

Redcar Bears = 55

1. Thomas Jorgensen (G) – 0, 2, 3, 2′, 2 = 9+1
2. Jonas B. Andersen – 3, 1, 1, 2′, 3 = 10+1
3. Charles Wright R/R (JBA – 1, TJ – 2, BB – 1′, UO – 3)
4. Ulrich Ostergaard (G) – 3, 1′, 2, 3, 3, 0 = 12+1
5. Ben Barker – 2, 3, 1′, 3, 1′, 1 = 11+2
6. Coty Garcia – 3, X, 3, 1, 2′ = 9+1
7. Liam Carr (G) – 2′, 1′, 0, 1 = 4+2

Newcastle Diamonds = 37

1. Robert Lambert – 2, 3, 4^, 3, 3 = 15
2. Ashley Morris – 1′, 0, 1, 0 = 2+1
3. Lewis Rose – 0, 2, FX, 2 = 4
4. Ludvig Lindgren – 2, 1′, 1, 1, 2′ = 7+2
5. Steve Worrall – 3, 2, 3, F = 8
6. Dan Greenwood – 0, 0, 0, 0 = 0
7. Ben Hopwood – 1, 0, 0, 0 = 1

Redcar SG Petch Bears go into this Thursdays meeting against local rivals Newcastle battling injuries and rider availability – but still determined to get one over our Geordie friends!

As Bears manager Jitendra Duffill points out, the injury hit Bears had another night to forget last Friday at Edinburgh as their injury jinx struck again:

We go into this Thursday’s fixture little patched up. Jason, Charles, Coty and Danny have all picked up injuries in the last 2 weeks and putting a side together is becoming a real headache. Our awful luck continued at Edinburgh as we struggled to get to grips with a very tricky track surface following lots of rain leading up to the fixture.

Ellis Perks will miss the meeting due to riding for his Premier League club Rye House, ex-Bears favourite Ulrich Ostergaard will replace him. Jason Garrity, Charles Wright and Danny Ayres all miss out through injuries, with Thomas Jorgensen guesting for Garrity and Liam Carr guesting for Ayres. The Bears will run Rider Replacement for Charles Wright, due to his new average this will enable all Bears to take a ride. Duffill is frustrated he has not been able to put out a full strength side again:

Obviously our current situation is far from ideal but I promise that we are making every attempt to field the strongest team we can. I’m sure that our supporters are as frustrated as we are but we can only hope that our luck will change. I still maintain that our full 1-7 is one of the strongest in the league but due to reasons outside of our control, we haven’t been able to prove that yet. 

We need to start picking up points again quickly if we want to start climbing the league table so we cannot afford to drop any more points at home. Silly mistakes have cost us recently and I will be emphasising again just how important every single point is to the outcome of a meeting.

Newcastle are at full strength, with new reserve signing Dan Greenwood taking his place in the side at the expense of Connor Coles. The Bears beat the Diamonds comfortably earlier in the season, but Duffill is expecting a tougher test this time round:

Newcastle are at full strength and I’m sure we will see a different side to the one we beat comfortably earlier in the season. I’m not expecting an easy ride and we will have to get off to a much better start to this meeting than we did 2 weeks ago against Glasgow. Newcastle have a very strong top 5 but they do lack strength at reserve. We must exploit this is we want to win as, on paper,  we are much stronger at 6 and 7. This is a very good opportunity for Coty Garcia to get his meeting off to a strong start and he should be able to build a lot of confidence riding at number 6.

Redcar: Thomas Jorgensen, Jonas B Andersen, r/r for Charles Wright, Ulrich Ostergaard, Ben Barker, Coty Garcia, Liam Carr
Newcastle: Robert Lambert, Ashley Morris, Lewis Rose, Ludvig Lindgren, Steve Worrall, Dan Greenwood, Ben Hopwood