Category: Bears News

The Redcar “Agilia” Bears battled to a vital 45-39 home victory over the Edinburgh Monarchs to claim 3 SGB Championship points at the Ecco Arena. Erik Riss top scored again for Redcar with 10+1 whilst Sam Masters hit 11 for the visitors as they took home a consolation point. Jason Edwards produced for the Bears with a match winning 7 from reserve. The meeting was abandoned after 14 heats due to a heavy downpour at the Ecco Arena.

Masters won heat 1 at a canter but with Redcar filling the minor places the spoils were shared. Redcar took an early lead after heat 2 with Edwards and guest reserve Ben Morley flying from the gate for a comfortable 5-1.

Kye Thomson gated in heat 3 and despite Riss looking likely to pass on the third bend of lap 1 the Australian held off the challenge to ultimately cruise to a comfortable win. Again, Redcar filled the minor placings to ensure Edinburgh could not close the gap.

Edinburgh then closed the gap in heat 4 with Josh Pickering passing Lewis Kerr on the fourth bend of lap 1 to take the win and with it a new track record! In the battle of the guests at the back, Kyle Bickley got the better of Morley to bring the Monarchs within 2.

After a shared heat 5 Redcar re-asserted their 4 point advantage with Charles Wright taking his first win of the evening and with Adam Roynon in third the Bears had their second heat advantage. Heat 7 was another 3-3 with Kerr taking the chequered flag to win impressively from Thomson in second.

Drama followed in an incident packed heat 8. Redcar looked set to take the heat advantage as Lasse Fredriksen fell whilst challenging Morley and with Roynon leading comfortably Redcar looked set for a 6 point lead. Disaster then struck for Roynon who got accquainted with the 2nd bend air fence on the final lap which gifted Bickley the win. Roynon pushed the bike round for the point with the Redcar faithful cheering him along every step of the way.

The ninth race of an exciting meeting saw Kasper Andersen get a much needed heat win and with Riss riding shotgun the Bears headed into an 8 point lead. Wright won heat 11 by the length of a straight and with reserve switch Edwards in third, Redcar looked set for a rare, comfortable win.

As we know at Redcar, things are never that easy and so it proved as Edinburgh used their tactical substitute to great effect as Masters and Pickering combined for a 5-1 to bring Edinburgh within six.

Heat 12 saw the 6th shared heat of the evening but the Monarchs clawed themselves within touching distance of the Bears in heat 13 as Masters took a tapes to flag win with the action all happening behind the Aussie. Pickering first passed Kerr and then set after Wright. The Bears skipper hit the fence on the start line and looked to have lost his position but he remarkably held onto his machinery and somehow secured second to limit Edinburgh to a 4-2.

Jason Edwards stole the show in heat 14 with arguably, his best ride at the Ecco Arena. The Mildenhall man somehow held off Paco Castagna to take the win and with Andersen in third the Bears went six ahead again.

Heat 15 did not get past the opening bends on two different occasions due to unsatisfactory starts as Wright took a heavy fall in the second staging which ultimately saw the skipper withdraw from the meeting. A torrential downpour then hit the track and despite the best efforts of the track staff the meeting was abandoned with the track being deemed too greasy.

Redcar’s Erik Riss was happy with the result and his performance, “It was a good night, the track was really grippy today which made it a little challenging at the beginning. After my first ride I made changes to my set up and that helped me score well.”

The German also reserved praise for the performance of Jason Edwards. “Heat 14 was a really good ride from Jason. I was hoping he would go wider and then Castagna pushed him wide which helped him pull away! It was a really good performance from Jason.”

The Ipswich man also discussed next week’s clashes with Berwick at home in the KO Cup and Newcastle away in the league, “On paper, Newcastle aren’t the strongest of sides but it will depend on who they get as a guest at number 1. Ultimately, we should be targeting 4 points from that meeting. We also need to build a strong lead against Berwick ahead of the second leg so that will be the aim on Friday.”

Redcar Bears = 45

1. Charles Wright = 10
2. Adam Roynon = 3+2
3. Erik Riss = 10+1
4. Kasper Andersen = 5+1
5. Lewis Kerr = 6
6. Jason Edwards = 7
7. Ben Morley (G) = 4+1

Edinburgh Monarchs = 39

1. Sam Masters = 11
2. Lasse Fredriksen = 1+1
3. Kye Thomson = 9
4. Paco Castagna = 3+1
5. Josh Pickering = 9+1
6. Jacob Hook = 0
7. Kyle Bickley (G) = 6+1

Redcar team boss Jade Mudgway has fired a warning to his septet ahead of the Bears crucial return clash against Edinburgh this Sunday, 17:00 start at the Ecco Arena. The Kiwi said, “We must improve as a team, at the moment we are not performing as a team that are tipped for the play-offs. Quite simply we need to sort ourselves out and up our game.”

The former Berwick rider believes his side will improve on home shale, “We can’t have a performance like Friday on Sunday, although under different circumstances the Leicester result (in a league standpoint) is a similar result to the Edinburgh one. Having said that, I believe we will improve on Sunday and be a better team at the Ecco Arena.”

The Kiwi also believes clubs should have a lower points limit to deal with the lack of riders in British Speedway, “I think a lower points limit is the way to go forward as there is a shortage of riders unfortunately. At the moment, we are going to try and work with what we have got. We have got to make the right change at the right time.”

Despite recent results, Mudgway is confident ahead of the clash, “I believe we will turn up on Sunday and show what we are capable of. I think we will turn them over and come away with the win we most definitely need.”

Redcar welcome back Charles Wright having missed Friday’s match after his crash riding for his Premiership team, Belle Vue. Jordan Jenkins is still absent with a knee injury with Ben Morley contiuning to deputise in his absence. On the other side of the pits, Edinburgh welcome back Lasse Fredriksen from a European qualifier whilst Kyle Bickley guests at reserve in place of James Sarjeant.

Redcar Agilia Bears 

1 Charles Wright 8.66 (C)

2 Adam Roynon 4.93 

3 Erik Riss            7.91

4 Kasper Andersen 5.91

5 Lewis Kerr         8.05

6 Jason Edwards 2.35

7 Ben Morley3.85

TM Jade Mudgway

EDINBURGH WHAT THE FORK MONARCH

1.       Sam Masters 9.10 ©

2     Lasse Fredriksen 5.00

3.      Kye Thomson 5.74

4.       Paco Castagna 5.79

5.       Josh Pickering 8.23

6.       Jacob Hook 4.00

7.       Kyle Bickley 3.85

™ John Campbell 

The Redcar “Agilia” Bears missed out on the opportunity to record back to back Championship away wins as they fell to a 48-41 defeat at Armadale to a resolute Edinburgh side. Erik Riss top scored for Redcar with 13 whilst Sam Masters hit 13 for the hosts

The opening heat saw Masters take a comfortable win whilst Redcar’s guest Jake Allen held off a strong challenge from James Sarjeant to limit the damage. The Monarchs were reduced to 5 riders after two bends of heat 2 as the home reserve pairing of Jacob Hook and Sarjeant crashed which forced the withdrawal of the ex-Bear with a suspected concussion. We send our best wishes to Sarjeant for a speedy recovery.

With Hook excluded this left the reserve pairing of Jason Edwards and Redcar guest Ben Morley to complete the formalities for a 5-0 to send Redcar into an early 3 point lead. Riss started the night with a customary lightning gate to take the win but with Edinburgh holding the minor placings, the lead remained at three.

The Bears gated on a 5-1 in heat 4 but the exciting Josh Pickering made short work of Morley and set after Lewis Kerr but the testimonial man used his experience to take the win and an away 4-2. The Monarchs engine room of Kye Thomsen and Paco Castagna combined for a 5-1 with the Italian passing Allen on the outside to reduce Redcar’s lead to a single point.

A shared heat 6 kept Redcar in the most slender of leads but Redcar extended their lead to 3 in heat 7. Redcar’s German star Erik Riss gated and just about held off Pickering who rode the boards but the German used his Armadale experience to hold off the Australian and with Andersen getting the better of Hook it was another away 4-2.

The Monarchs turned the meeting on it’s head with back to back 5-1’s. Heat 8 saw Jacob Hook come to the party to partner Kye Thomsen whilst Thomsen bested Kerr in heat 9 to join Castagna for another home maximum to send Edinburgh into a 5 point lead.

Redcar reduced the gap to three as Riss continued his perfect start with another win despite strong pressure from Masters and with Andersen in third Redcar were back in with a chance. Redcar’s German star was proving to be a thorn in the Monarch’s side as he brought Redcar within one as he made it 4 from 4 in heat 12 and with Edwards firing from gate 1 to secure third the Monarchs knew they had to produce.

And produce they did with a big 5-1 as their star men Masters and Pickering led from the gate to extend Edinburgh’s lead to 5. The Bears needed a heat advantage in the penultimate heat to remain in with a chance but instead Edinburgh secured successive 5-1’s to tie up the 3 league points.

Lewis Kerr and Erik Riss were tasked with securing a 5-1 for a consolation league point for the Bears. Kerr won comfortably but for the first time in the match Riss failed to make the gate and had to settle for third which gave Edinburgh a 49-41 home success.

Redcar’s Erik Riss was pleased with his personal performance, “I had a good night, Edinburgh is a hard place to come too but having rode here for 4 seasons I know what to do here in most conditions and it was slick this evening.”

The Redcar number 3 also commented on his teammates performances, “Some of the boys struggled this evening but Edinburgh isn’t the easiest place to come. Our guys struggled for power but Edinburgh eventually got dialled in and they came on strong.”

Riss also commented on how a rider who is performing well can help struggling riders, “Speedway these days is 85% bike set-ups. All you can do when you are performing well is tell the boys how you are setting the bike up to try and help them out.”

The Ipswich man also bemoaned the absence of Charles Wright who has a wrist injury, “Wherever you go with Charles you can expect a good score, I think if we had Charles it would have been a different story. Unfortunately, Jake Allen struggled tonight but that happens from time to time.”

Edinburgh Monarchs = 48
Sam Masters = 13
Lasse Fredriksen R/R = 4
3. Kye Thomsen = 11+2
4. Paco Castagna = 10+1
5. Josh Pickering = 9+1
6. Jacob Hook = 4+2
7. James Sarjeant = 1
8. Gregor Millar = 0

Redcar Bears = 41

1. Jake Allen (G) = 5
2. Adam Roynon = 1
3. Erik Riss = 13
4. Kasper Andersen = 2
5. Lewis Kerr = 10
6. Jason Edwards = 4
7. Ben Morley (G) = 6+3

Redcar’s German ace believes the Bears have every chance of walking away from Armadale with the victory this Friday at Armadale, (19:30 start). The Ipswich man said, “We have seen that they are vulnerable around their home track so the aim is to go there and win!”

The 2019 Championship riders individual champion enjoyed riding for Edinburgh between 2015-2018 even if the tight Armadale track isn’t one of his favourites, “I enjoyed riding for them, I am more of a fan of the bigger, faster tracks but I did end up winning a lot of races there! Edinburgh is a good club, they looked after me well and I don’t have anything bad to say about the Monarchs.”

The German star also believes his 4 year stint with the Scottish side developed him as a rider, “Although I may not have enjoyed the tighter nature of the track I definitely improved as a rider by racing there for so long. If you look at me from when I started in 2015 in comparison to now, I have a completely different riding style as I have improved so much.”

Riss is now partnered with Kasper Andersen in 3 of his 4 programmed rides and the former Birmingham star is enjoying the newly formed Bears engine room, “I really enjoy riding with Kasper, we both look after each other on the track. We got a couple of 5-1’s against Berwick and we could be the difference on Friday as Kasper has scored well there previously and I should go well being a former Edinburgh man!”

Redcar are forced into a late change to their line up with Jordan Jenkins out. Jenkins has a knee injury and he is replaced by Plymouth’s new signing, Ben Morley. Jason Edwards makes a return to Edinburgh having spent the last few weeks of the season in the blue and gold colours. Additionally, the aforementioned Riss and Wright are former Monarchs with the latter spending a portion of 2012 at Edinburgh.

Edinburgh are forced into using rider replacement with Lasse Fredriksen travelling to a European Championship meeting in Hungary. The 2021 Play-Off semi-finalists will use rider replacement in his absence with Kye Thomsen and the reserves eligible to take the Norwegian’s rides. The rest of the Monarchs side includes the exciting Josh Pickering, the powerful Sam Masters and the likeable James Sarjeant who rode for Redcar in 2021.

Edinburgh Monarchs
1 Sam Masters 9.10 ©
2 Rider Replacement for Lasse Fredriksen
3 Kye Thomson 5.74
4 Paco Castagna 5.79
5 Josh Pickering 8.23
6 Jacob Hook 4.00
7 James Sarjeant 3.85

Team Manager John Campbell

Redcar Agilia Bears
1 Charles Wright 8.66 (C)
2 Adam Roynon 4.93
3 Erik Riss 7.91
4 Kasper Andersen 5.91
5 Lewis Kerr 8.05
6 Jason Edwards 2.35
7 Ben Morley 3.85 (G)

TM Jade Mudgway

Redcar showed their resilience and bouncebackability to pick up a vital away win with a 43-47 success over a depleted Berwick side. Erik Riss returned to form with a bang to top score for the Bears with paid 14 whilst Theo Pijper scored paid 14 for the hosts. Redcar have now won on their last 3 visits to Shielfield Park by margins of 4 points (2019,2022) and 6 points (2021). 

The meeting started in the worst possible circumstances for the hosts as Jye Etheridge crashed on the first bend of heat 1 and was forced to withdraw from the meeting, we send our best wishes to Etheridge and hope for a speedy recovery. 

The Bandits guest, Nick Morris took the chequered flag in heat 1 but with both Bears sat in behind the spoils were shared, something that would become a running theme throughout the evening! Jason Edwards impressively won heat 2 from the gate but with Jenkins at the back the scores remained level. 

The Bandits struck the first telling blow of the evening with a maximum heat advantage in heat 6 as Morris and the ageless Theo Pijper got the better of Lewis Kerr and Jordan Jenkins to send Berwick into the lead.

Redcar responded instantly with a 5-1 of their own courtesy of Riss and a former Bandit, Kasper Andersen. Suddenly, maximum heat advantages were all the rage as the Bandits re-asserted their lead as Ricky Wells won comfortably and Kyle Bickley showed the required nous to hold off a hard charging Adam Roynon. 

The first 4-2 arrived in heat 9 with Kerr winning and with Jenkins sublimely passing Bickley, Berwick’s lead was reduced to 2. The 4th 5-1 of the match arrived in heat 10 with the power packed Bears engine room of Riss and Andersen getting the better of Nick Morris to swing the pendulum in favour of Redcar with the Teessiders now leading by two. 

Heat 11 saw Lee Complin try a rash inside pass on Adam Roynon which took out the Cumbrian. Complin was excluded from the re-run and a bruised Roynon also was able to partake in the re-run. Charles Wright took his first win of the evening which sent Redcar into a 4 point lead. 

Riss continued his fantastic evening with a comfortable heat 12 win whilst Wright took the chequered flag in heat 13. However, the Bandits packed the minor places in both which kept them within touching distance. 

Kasper Andersen pulled off a memorable move in heat 14 as he stormed past both Bandits exiting the 4th bend of the opening lap to then motor to a comfortable win to send the large Redcar contingent on the back straight absolutely wild! 

The Bandits required a 5-1 for a draw in heat 15 but it was not to be. Redcar initally gated on a 5-1 but a determined Morris passed Wright in the opening lap and then stormed up the inside of Riss to take an impressive win. 

Erik Riss was happy to return to form after a tough night against Poole, “It was very good to get a win after the Poole match which was very disappointing. We all struggled yesterday but today was much better!”

The German star also discussed his machinery, “There was something wrong with my bike yesterday but I checked everything over and couldn’t find the problem. For tonights match I used a different bike and it seemed to work!”

Berwick Bandits = 43

1. Nick Morris (G) = 12

2. Leon Flint R/R 

3. Theo Pijper = 11+3

4. Jye Etheridge = WITHDRAWN

5. Ricky Wells = 10+1

6. Lee Complin (G) = 5

7. Kyle Bickley = 5+1

8. Luke Crang = 0

Redcar Bears = 47

1. Charles Wright = 11+1

2. Adam Roynon = 4+2

3. Erik Riss = 13+1

4. Kasper Andersen = 8+1

5. Lewis Kerr = 6

6. Jordan Jenkins = 1

7. Jason Edwards = 4+1

Redcar’s Danish star Kasper Andersen has promised the Redcar faithful that there’s much more to come from him this season as the Bears travel north to face Andersen’s old club, Berwick. The Championship clash is a 19:00 start at Shielfield Park this evening.

The 2019 KO Cup winner said, “I need to start gating better, that has been something that I have missed so far this season.”

The Dane knows his side must bounce back after a defeat at home to Poole 24 hours ago, “Things didn’t go our way but we will regroup and go again, it’s a long season and we will bounce back.”

Andersen also discussed his return to Berwick in Bears colours, “I’m a little bit nervous ahead of the meeting. I’m looking forward to going back to Berwick, it’s a good club and it’s a track that I like. Berwick is one of my favourite clubs along with Redcar.”

The Dane also discussed Redcar’s chances ahead of the clash, “I fancy our chances, if you look at each rider against our opposite number we should be aiming for a positive result but it is their home circuit so it will be tough.”

Redcar have a strong recent record at Berwick, the Bears have won on their last two visits. In 2021, Charles Wright hit a memorable maximum. Wright was again in the points back in 2019 with paid 13 whilst Erik Riss weighed in with paid 12.

Redcar are at full strength and looking to make amends after their home defeat to Poole. On the other hand, Berwick are without Chris Harris and Ty Proctor, Harris is riding in Europe on Great Britain duty whilst Proctor is still feeling the effects of his crash at Newcastle. The Bandits have brought in 2 of their former riders to guest in their place. Nick Morris comes in at 1 whilst Newcastle’s Lee Complin comes into the reserve berth to partner Kyle Bickley. Additionally, Berwick are forced to run rider replacement with Leon Flint still recovering from a shoulder dislocation.

Berwick Bandits

1 Nick morris 8.26 (G) 

2 Rider replacement for Leon Flint 6.43 

3 Theo Pijper 5.61

4 Jye Etheridge 5.87 ©

5 Ricky Wells 7.09

6 Lee Complin 4.92 (G) 

7 Kyle Bickley 3.70

TM Gary Flint

Redcar “Agilia” Bears

1 Charles Wright 8.66 (C)

2 Adam Roynon 4.93 

3 Erik Riss            7.91

4 Kasper Andersen 5.91

5 Lewis Kerr         8.05

6 Jordan Jenkins 3.85

7 Jason Edwards 2.35

TM Jade Mudgway

Poole inflicted Redcar’s first home defeat of the season as they charged to a 40-50 win on Teesside. Drew Kemp reminded the Redcar faithful of his likeness for the Ecco Arena circuit with 10+2 whilst Charles Wright battled to 13 for the hosts.

The Pirates started the meeting as they meant to go on with Danny King making an electric start to take the win from Wright in second and with Zach Cook in third Poole took a lead they never relinquished.

Kemp took his first win of an impressive evening in heat 2 as the Bears reserves settled for second and third. Poole then stamped their authority on proceedings with a damaging heat three 5-1 as the new pairing of Kasper Andersen and Erik Riss were left trailing at the back with Kemp winning yet again.

Remarkably 6 shared heats followed with a Redcar rider finally taking the chequered flag for the first time in heat 5 as Erik Riss took a tapes to flag win.

Jade Mudgway used his tactical substitute in heat 6 in the shape of Riss but the German and Wright could not get the better of the former Bears number 1 Richard Lawson which kept the Pirates 6 ahead.

Ultimately, heat winners were proving hard to come by for the hosts and Redcar took until heat 10 to register their second heat win, and their first heat advantage of the evening. Wright won from the gate and Adam Roynon rode the white line to hold off Steve Worrall to give the home faithful some hope.

Heat 11 was won by Lewis Kerr as he held off a hard charging Danny King but with Jordan Jenkins at the rear the Bears could not make any further inroads as they remained 4 behind.

Worrall bounced back from his heat 10 4th place to take the win and with Kemp passing Riss to secure second the Bears were 8 behind. A glimmer of hope came in heat 13 as Wright won and with Kerr in third the Bears remained in the meeting.

The glimmer of hope was quickly crushed in heat 14 as Ben Cook took an impressive win and with Kerr smartly holding off a determined Kasper Andersen the Pirates ended Redcar’s undefeated home run.

Although the Bears had lost the meeting Charles Wright provided one of the moves of the season with a fence scraping outside move at the climax of lap 1 to take a superb win whilst King and Lawson packed the minor placings to ensure the Pirates returned to Wimborne Road with all 4 league points.

Redcar boss Jade Mudgway was understandably disappointed with the result, “We knew it was going to be a tough meeting, Poole were the better side and they deserved the victory, it was as simple as that.”

The Kiwi knows his side must eradicate recent slow starts, “Maybe Poole smelt blood after our last home fixture against Oxford who took an early lead. Starting slowly is something we must clamp down on and that’s where we lost the match.”

Mudgway spoke candidly about the side, “I need to look at myself to see if I can help the side in any way to improve at the start of matches. We are a better side than what we produced tonight but we need to show that out on track.”

Redcar Bears = 40

1. Charles Wright = 13
2. Adam Roynon = 2+1
3. Erik Riss = 6+2
4. Kasper Andersen = 4
5. Lewis Kerr = 8
6. Jordan Jenkins = 2+2
7. Jason Edwards = 5+1

Poole Pirates  = 50

1. Danny King = 10+1
2. Zach Cook = 7+1
3. Steve Worrall = 8+1
4. Ben Cook = 5
5. Richard Lawson = 10+1
6. Drew Kemp = 10+2
7. Nathan Ablitt = 0

Redcar co-promoter Jamie Swales is in a confident mood ahead of Redcar’s toughest home encounter of the season so far, Friday (19:30 start) at the Ecco Arena. “I am very confident about our chances on Friday, we have the riders that can do the job and get the win.”

The former Glasgow rider is excited to resume racing at the Ecco Arena after a week away from action, “It feels longer than it has been, when you get into the swing of the season you just want to race every week at home.”

The promoter, who donned the Redcar race jacket for the first time in second half action for the cubs in the late 2000’s also lavished praise on Jason Edwards, Redcar’s exciting reserve. “Jason was brilliant for us at Oxford, if it was not for Jason scoring big from reserve the meeting could have ran away from us. Jason had not won a race for Redcar up until last night. It was good to see him improving and progressing.”

Whilst confident, Swales is aware of Poole’s threat, “Poole are a tough side but I believe in the capabilities we possess which makes me confident for the meeting.”

Redcar are back at full strength ahead of the clash between two play-off contenders as Kasper Andersen returns to the fold. Meanwhile, Poole are also at full strength with Drew Kemp expected to score well on one of his favourite tracks whilst Poole’s manager, Gary Havelock is no stranger to the Redcar faithful. The 1992 World Champion is arguably Redcar’s greatest ever rider. Havelock returned to the club in 2006 when the sport returned to Teesside.

Redcar “Agilia” Bears

1 Charles Wright 8.66 (C)
2 Adam Roynon 4.93
3 Erik Riss 7.91
4 Kasper Andersen 5.91
5 Lewis Kerr 8.05
6 Jordan Jenkins 3.85
7 Jason Edwards 2.35

TM Jade Mudgway

Poole Pirates

1 Danny King (c) 9.73
2 Zach Cook 4.39
3 Steve Worrall 9.05
4 Ben Cook 5.35
5 Richard Lawson 9.16
6 Drew Kemp 4.05
7 Nathan Ablitt 2.00

TM Gary Havelock

Redcar were edged out by a resilient Oxford side 47-43 in a Championship thriller at Sandy Lane. Oxford led throughout the meeting with their skipper, Scott Nicholls top scoring with 13 whilst Charles Wright hit 14 for the Bears.

Scott Nicholls started superbly to win heat 1 with Wright getting the better of Kyle Newman to limit the damage. Disaster struck in heat 2 with the Bears looking set for a 5-1 until Jordan Jenkins picked up some unexpected drive, thus then being excluded from the race. The re-run was won by an impressive Jason Edwards who shone on the night for the 2019 KO Cup winners.

Redcar registered their first heat advantage in heat 3 as a fast starting Erik Riss won comfortably and with Jenkins 3rd the Bears levelled the meeting. Another electric Bears gate saw both Bears, Lewis Kerr and Jason Edwards emerge on the back straight on a 5-1 but the Cheetahs guest, Chris Harris forced himself into second, and with Dillon Ruml passing Edwards the scores remained level.

Back to back 4-2’s for the Championship newcomers saw Oxford take a 4 point lead with heat 7 providing exciting viewing for the crowd. In the original staging, Jenkins was excluded after a first bend clash with Nathan Stoneman. The re-run saw Riss and Harris pass each other numerous times with Harris winding it on in true Bomber style to take the win on the last lap.

The Teessiders steadied the ship with two 3-3’s as Edwards won yet again and Kerr made it 8 points from 9 as he defeated Jack Thomas. The Bears boat was again rocking by the climax of heat 11 as the busiest man in British Speedway, Chris Harris got the better of Charles Wright after an almighty battle for the win.

The “Agilia” Bears played their tactical substitute card in heat 12 in the shape of Wright who duly did the job required of him and with Riss in 3rd, Redcar reduced the arrears to 6. Harris yet again proved to be a thorn in Redcar’s side as he stormed from last to first in the space of 1 lap to take the win and with Nicholls getting the better of Kerr the Cheetahs went into a commanding 8 point lead.

Redcar then battled back in heat 14 with a 5-1 as Riss and Edwards combined to send the clash into a final heat decider. Harris was yet again involved in the thick of the action as he battled with Wright but on this occasion, the British legend fell but with Nicholls out front the Bears were forced to settle for a 3-3. The shared heat gave the Cheetahs 3 league points with the Bears returning to Teesside with a consolation point.

Redcar co-promoter Jamie Swales was disappointed with the result, “I’m disappointed, we targeted a win from the meeting but a couple of things didn’t go our way. We had some bad luck on the night but we fought hard to take a point.”

The former rider was impressed with the action, “The Oxford promotion have got some different shale for the track and the rain made the track a little heavier which gave the opportunity for more racing lines, especially on the outside.”

Swales was also impressed with the performance of Oxford’s guest, Harris, “Harris made the difference tonight, Troy Batchelor would not have scored as heavily as Bomber did. He was definitely a match winner for them.”

Swales also spoke about the Bears reserves, “Jordan (Jenkins) hurt his back after his heat 2 fall. He then struggled for the rest of the meeting. Jason Edwards picked up the slack for us, he was brilliant with 2 race wins and a paid win.”

Oxford Cheetahs = 47

1 Scott Nicholls = 13
2 Kyle Newman = 5
3 Jack Thomas = 8
4 Cameron Heeps = 3+2
5 Chris Harris (G) = 11
6 Dillon Ruml = 4+3
7 Nathan Stoneman (G) = 3

Redcar Bears = 43

1 Charles Wright = 14
2 Adam Roynon = 0
3 Erik Riss = 9
4 R/R for Kasper Andersen = 6
5 Lewis Kerr = 9+1
6 Jordan Jenkins = 1
7 Jason Edwards = 10+1

Redcar team boss Jade Mudgway believes his side are still on the right track to possible success after their heavy away defeat to Leicester, “I think we are still on track, we have to look past the bad result that we had and move forward. I do not believe that the Leicester match means we have lost our way by any means. We just have to get back onto the horse against Oxford.”

The Kiwi believes returning to Sandy Lane a mere two weeks after the Bears last visit is a massive advantage, “It is a big help and it’s something that should work in our favour. In the KO Cup I believe we won the last ⅔ of the match so we need to be clever and use what we learned to our advantage and win the entirety of the meeting.”

The Co-Promoter also outlined his aim for the Championship clash, “Our aim is to win on the night and I believe we have the riders to do just that!”

Mudgway also lauded both of the club’s heat leaders, “Both teams have good solid heat leaders, our boys are awesome and they will have to on their game. Similarly, they have Troy (Batchelor) and Scott (Nicholls) so it is certain to be a tough match but it’s one we can win!”

The former Bears reserve believes Adam Roynon and the Bears reserves hold the key, “It definitely will come down to our reserves and Adam over the course of the meeting. In the KO Cup match they had Dan Gilkes scoring big points for them at reserve so hopefully that will swing in our favour even though they have recruited another good guest in Nathan Stoneman.”

Redcar are without Kasper Andersen who is riding back in Denmark, rider replacement will operate in his absence. Meanwhile, Mudgway has opted for a change in the riding order after the latest green sheet averages were released. Erik Riss will move to the number 3 berth whilst Lewis Kerr moves to number 5.

Oxford are forced to use a guest for their stricken Aussie Josh MacDonald who withdrew after one ride at Leicester. The former Scunthorpe man was attempting a comeback after a broken lower leg but clearly it was too much too soon for the Australian ace. Oxford bring in their National League starlet Nathan Stoneman as a guest.

Oxford Cheetahs

1 Scott Nicholls 8.58 ©
2 Kyle Newman 5.33
3 Jack Thomas 5.30
4 Cameron Heeps 4.95
5 Troy Batchlor 8.43
6 Dillon Rumel 4.05
7 Nathan Stoneman 2.00 (G)

TM Jason Crump/ Peter Schroeck

Redcar “Agilia” Bears

1 Charles Wright 8.66 (C)
2 Adam Roynon 4.93
3 Erik Riss 7.91
4 Rider replacement for Kasper Andersen 5.91
5 Lewis Kerr 8.05
6 Jordan Jenkins 3.85
7 Jason Edwards 2.35

TM Jade Mudgway