Category: Bears News

This coming Friday for the Poole meeting we will be hosting a fans night in the SG Petch Suite on the start finish line.
It will be the usual £12 on top of your normal stadium entry charge.
It will include a full buffet, a drink from the bar, a hot drink, a meeting programme, seating on the balcony plus a centre green visit for 2 heats.
This is on a strictly first come first served basis as numbers are limited.
Anyone interested can you please text Ian Drinkel on 07827293866 or email Ian at indrinkel@msn.com.

We have two new dates for your diaries, as the dates have now been announced for the Quarter Finals of the KO Cup.

We will face Berwick at home on the 27th May, with the return fixture at Berwick taking place on the 11th June.

The Redcar “Agilia” Bears were brought crashing down to earth as they suffered a 60-30 defeat at the Paul Chapman and Sons Arena. In tough track conditions, Kyle Howarth and Nick Morris both hit maximums whilst Charles Wright top scored for the Bears with 11.

A strong home performance from the Lions began with three successive 4-2 heat advantages in the first 3 heats. Heat 2 saw Jason Edwards gate well to take an early lead but the Bears reserve was overtaken by Joe Thompson who used his superior track knowledge to pass Edwards on the outside to take the win.

The Lions emphatically stamped their mark on proceedings in heat 4 as Richie Worrall took a tapes to flag win whilst Joe Thompson passed Erik Riss to register Leicester’s first 5-1 of the evening. Charles Wright battled to limit another 5-1 for Leicester as he re-passed Dan Thompson but with Kyle Howarth taking a comfortable win the Bears were 21-9 behind.

The 8th race of a brisk evening saw Leicester’s Joe Thompson pick off Bears reserves Jordan Jenkins and Jason Edwards on laps 2 and 3 to extend the 2019 league winners lead to 18.

Jade Mudgway opted to use his tactical substitute card with Wright pairing Riss to try and stage an unlikely Bears comeback. The substitution ultimately did not work as Howarth took another superb win with the Bears duo packing the minor placings. The Bears hit their only heat advantage of the evening (and their only race winner) in heat 11 with the skipper Wright denying Worrall a maximum with a tapes to flag win.

Things did not improve for Redcar as the Teessiders conceded 5-1 advantages in heats 13 and 15 to put a sour note on an otherwise positive week for the club.

Redcar boss Jade Mudgway believes sluggish starts cost his side, “We really struggled out of the starts this evening, you can look at track conditions all you want but that doesn’t play a part when you aren’t getting out of the starts.”

The Kiwi believes this was a one-off for his side, “The boys tried hard this evening but things didn’t work out for us. We are capable of much more than that.”

Mudgway knows this cannot become a more regular occurrence, “The riders know this result and the manner of it was unacceptable, we are better than what we produced tonight. The boys cannot be faulted for a lack of effort but it just didn’t work tonight.”

Leicester Lions = 60

1. Nick Morris = 12 (MAX)
2. Connor Mountain = 6
3. Kyle Howarth = 15 (MAX)
4. Dan Thompson = 5
5. Richie Worrall = 12+2
6. Ben Morley (G) = 2
7. Joe Thompson = 8+2

Redcar Bears = 30

1. Charles Wright = 11
2. Adam Roynon = 1
3. Lewis Kerr = 7+1
4. Kasper Andersen = 2
5. Erik Riss = 4+1
6. Jason Edwards = 2
7. Jordan Jenkins = 3

Redcar’s German star Erik Riss has declared Redcar’s start to the season as good with room for improvement ahead of the club’s clash with Leicester this evening. The former Birmingham man said, “ It’s been a good start but we can make some small improvements.”

The Bears will be hoping to improve on their start to the season when they travel to Leicester this Saturday with tapes up at 19:00 at the Paul Chapman and Sons Arena.

Riss, a former Leicester rider is confident ahead of the meeting, “ I have rode for them (Leicester) before and I have always performed well around their track so I’m excited to go there and hopefully have another strong performance.”

The Ipswich star believes teams will find it hard at Leicester this season, “Not many teams will go to Leicester and get a point this season. Leicester have a strong home track advantage as it is quite a technical track so away teams tend to struggle there but the primary aim is to get a league point and who knows, possibly more!”

The current Championship Riders Individual Champion believes there is much more to come from our reserves, “Jordan (Jenkins) and Jason (Edwards) have done well so far this season but they have a lot to learn and I know they can score more points for us. If the side can fire together all at once we will be tough to beat1”

The German also updated supporters on his fitness after a crash in Poland last weekend, “I’m still quite sore but when I get on the bike and the adrenalin kicks in I don’t feel it so that’s all that matters.”

Redcar again track a full strength side after a classic home win against Oxford as they progressed to a KO Cup quarter final tie against Berwick.

Leicester welcome back Kyle Howarth from illness but they must make do without their former Bear Anders Rowe. Rowe returned from Poland feeling unwell. The Brit is replaced by Kent Royal’s Ben Morley.

Watling JCB Lions team

1 Nick Morris 8.58
2 Connor Mountain 5.06
3 Kyle Howarth 7.60 ©
4 Dan Thompson 4.92
5 Richie Worrall 7.93
6 Ben Morley (g) 3.69
7 Joe Thompson 3.55

TM Stewart Dickson

Redcar Agilia Bears

1 Charles Wright 8.37 (C)
2 Adam Roynon 5.08
3 Lewis Kerr 7.47
4 Kasper Andersen 5.87
5 Erik Riss 7.84
6 Jason Edwards 2.16
7 Jordan Jenkins 3.61

TM Jade Mudgway

Redcar powered through to the KO Cup quarter finals with a hard fought 94-86 win over the Oxford Cheetahs. Redcar skipper Charles Wright top scored for the Bears with 13 points whilst British legend Scott Nicholls hit paid 10 for Oxford.

Oxford started brightly with a 4-2 in heat 1 as a fast starting Troy Batchelor took a tapes to flag win from Wright in second. Redcar immediately hit back with a heat 2 5-1 as Jordan Jenkins took a comfortable win with Edwards holding off early outside pressure from Dillon Ruml.

Four shared heats followed with a superb win in heat 3 from Kasper Andersen who picked off both Jack Thomas and Cameron Heeps superbly after Lewis Kerr came to grief on the pits bend. Nathan Stoneman gated in heat 4 but was passed by the leg trailing Erik Riss on bend 3 of lap 1 to take a fairly comfortable win.

Oxford then drew level on the night to keep their lead at 4 as the impressive Thomas held off a concerted inside effort from Riss and with Heeps in 3rd Oxford smelt blood. Another 4-2 for the Cheetahs with Kyle Newman taking an impressive win as Redcar were left standing at the start. Oxford were now 6 ahead on aggregate and seemingly in a strong position.

The ever impressive Lewis Kerr won by half a straight to bring Redcar back into contention as Kasper Andersen pushed Ruml wide on the pits bend to take a precious 3rd place. Heat 10 brought Redcar level on aggregate with Wright winning by the proverbial mile whilst Adam Roynon first passed Thomas and then intelligently came up the inside of Heeps to take a vital paid win.

Things were not looking good for Redcar in heat 11 as the Cheetahs gated on a maximum heat advantage but the Cheetahs pairing nearly collided which gave Riss the chance to manoeuvre into second. The German then stalked Newman and passed him on the back straight to keep the Bears level.

Redcar then went ahead for the first time on aggregate with Lewis Kerr taking his third win from 4 outings and with Jenkins keeping a determined Dillon Ruml at bay the Bears led by 2. Wright rode a classic captain’s race as he raced smartly to dive up the inside of Batchelor on the final bend to take a win which sent the crowd into raptures!

Another important 4-2 advantage followed in heat 14 as Jenkins fought brilliantly to get the better of Heeps and Stoneman who both threatened from the inside and outside but the Brit was not for passing. Andersen then got the better of Stoneman who then came to grief trying to re-pass with the race awarded.

This left the tie delicately poised with Redcar 4 up on aggregate which left the Cheetahs with no other option, they needed a 5-1 to force golden heats. Wright and Kerr did what they have done countless times for the Bears with a huge 5-1 to send a good crowd home happy after another Bears victory!

Redcar’s Jordan Jenkins was pleased with his return to form, “It has been a frustrating couple of weeks personally but after tonight I’m feeling a lot better. I was speaking to my mechanic (Brian) and my Grandad before the meeting. I said to the both of them I needed a good meeting and I made some good starts to make things easier, tonight was a big confidence booster!”

The Brit came up with the good for Redcar in heat 14 and he was pleased to cap his night off with a win, “I got some drive, I knew that I had to shut the door on Cam (Heeps) and get ahead of Nathan (Stoneman) and that’s what I did, once I got on the right line I was away!”

Redcar Bears = 51  (94)
1. Charles Wright = 13
2. Adam Roynon = 3+2
3. Lewis Kerr = 11+1
4. Kasper Andersen = 5
5. Erik Riss = 8
6. Jason Edwards = 2+1
7. Jordan Jenkins = 9


Oxford Cheetahs = 39  (86)
1. Troy Batchelor = 8+1
2. Kyle Newman = 7+1
3. Jack Thomas = 7
4. Cameron Heeps = 5+1
5. Scott Nicholls = 8+2
6. Dillon Ruml = 1
7. Nathan Stoneman (G) = 3

Redcar boss Jade Mudgway believes the Bears have every chance of progressing to the KO Cup quarter finals when the Bears host the Cheetahs this Friday at the Ecco Arena, (19:30 start). “It’s all to play for this Friday, we start the meeting as if it’s like any other meeting and if we can hit them hard early on we will be in a good position.”

The former Berwick star thinks that it’s all starting to come together for his 1-7, “I think our side are all starting to find their feet now. Adam had a good meeting on Wednesday so hopefully he can re-produce that on Friday, Kasper rode well last week and our heat leaders are scoring well and are also racing in the Premiership so that stands us in good stead. Last but not least, our reserves are working hard and that can only be a good sign.”

Mudgway believes bringing the aggregate scores level in the early stages is crucial, “If we can get a couple of early heat advantages it may worry Oxford as they will then have to essentially win a 12/13 heat meeting. It is vital that we start well to keep the Cheetahs under pressure, we do that by hitting them hard and early!”

The adopted Teessider believes the second leg has all the ingredients for an entertaining spectacle, “With the added dimension of the meeting being the second leg, the Bears starting slightly behind and Oxford having a strong side the clash has the makings of a highly entertaining and intriguing meeting.”

Redcar are back at full strength ahead of the second leg as the Teessiders welcome Kasper Andersen back into the fold after the Dane missed the first leg due to a prior league commitment in his homeland. Redcar’s dangerous heat leader trio will all be hoping to continue their brilliant starts to the season to see the “Agilia” Bears progress to a KO Cup quarter final tie against Berwick.

Oxford are again without their Australian reserve Josh MacDonald with the former Scunthorpe man still recovering from a broken leg. The SGB Championship newcomers have called upon their National League rider and the former Somerset reserve Nathan Stoneman as a guest in the reserve berth.

Redcar Agilia Bears.
1 Charles Wright 8.37 (C)
2 Adam Roynon 5.08
3 Lewis Kerr 7.47
4 Kasper Andersen 5.87
5 Erik Riss 7.84
6 Jason Edwards 2.16
7 Jordan Jenkins 3.61
TM Jade Mudgway

Monarch Oxford Cheetahs
1 Troy Batchelor 9.11
2 Kyle Newman 5.16
3 Jack Thomas 4.91
4 Cameron Heeps 5.05
5 Scott Nicholls 9.07 (C)
6 Dillon Ruml 4.00
7 Nathan Stoneman 4.00 (G)
TM Jason Crump/ Peter Schroeck

The Redcar “Agilia” Bears suffered their first defeat of the season as they were beaten 47-43 by the Oxford Cheetahs in the KO Cup 1st round 1st leg.

The Bears fought admirably to keep their KO Cup dream alive after being down by 10 points after heat 8. Oxford’s star man was their guest, Dan Gilkes who scored 12 points from reserve, he was ultimately the match winner for the Cheetahs.

Heat 1 saw a win for Troy Batchelor but with Charles Wright passing Kyle Newman Redcar limited Oxford to a 4-2. Jason Edwards made a great gate in heat 2 only to make a mistake on his first visit to Sandy Lane on bend 2 which let the Cheetahs through for a 5-1 to extend their early lead to six points.

Back to back 4-2’s saw the Cheetahs march into a 10 point lead as Cameron Heeps and Scott Nicholls made it 4 wins from 4 for an Oxford rider. Redcar got their first win on the board in heat 5 as the skipper got the better of Jack Thomas on the backstraight of lap 1 to take a well deserved win.

Back to back shared heats followed with the Teessiders finding their feet with heat 7 providing the race of the night. Redcar reserve Jordan Jenkins got the drive on the backstraight of the opening lap to take the lead, Nicholls threw everything at Jenkins and ultimately got the better of the young Brit in lap 4 by virtue of a cute outside move.

The Cheetahs then re-established a 10 point lead with their guest Dan Gilkes picking up his first win but with Adam Roynon holding off Kyle Newman the Bears were still in touch. Redcar are known for their never say die attitude and that attitude was typified by Jason Edwards in heat 9. Edwards brilliantly held off both Cheetahs to join Erik Riss at the front to reduce Oxford’s lead to 6.

Heat 10 was shared but controversy followed in heat 11 with Wright being excluded for touching the tapes despite Nicholls seeming to move first. With Wright going off 15 metres Adam Roynon was tasked with at least splitting the Oxford duo. The Cumbrian pulled off a remarkable ride to somehow hold off Scott Nicholls who tried every line as Roynon took a precious win for the Teessiders.

Oxford extended their lead to 8 as Gilkes won yet again with Edwards coming underneath Jack Thomas on the backstraight of the final lap to ensure the lead would not go into double figures. The Bears yet again dragged themselves within 6 as Wright won but Nicholls brilliantly swooped around the outside of Riss to prevent a Bears 5-1.

Gilkes again proved to be a thorn in the Bears side as he won heat 14 from Kerr to re-establish Oxford’s 8 point lead. However, Redcar hit a potentially crucial blow in the context of the tie in heat 15 as Wright won convincingly from the gate whilst Riss just about held off Nicholls on the line to hand Redcar a massive boost heading into Friday’s second leg at the Ecco Arena.

Redcar boss Jade Mudgway was content with his side’s performance, “ I think we will take that result ahead of the second leg. Our boys can do better but Oxford were just sharper out of the starts at some points in the meeting.”

The Kiwi was effusive in his praise for Redcar’s battling spirit, “I’m really proud of the boys, they adapted really well to a track they have never ridden before. The team all battled and never gave in!”

The former Bears rider believes the slow start cost his side, “We had to adjust to a track we have never rode before and I think that’s what cost us overall. We had a couple of decisions not go our way but that’s speedway!”

Oxford Cheetahs = 47

1 Troy Batchelor = 6+1
2 Kyle Newman = 5+1
3 Jack Thomas = 5
4 Cameron Heeps = 3
5 Scott Nicholls = 11
6 Dillon Ruml = 5+1
7 Dan Gilkes (G) = 12+1

Redcar “Agilia” Bears = 43

1 Charles Wright = 11
2 Adam Roynon = 8
3 Lewis Kerr = 6+1
4 Kasper Anderson R/R
5 Erik Riss = 11+1
6 Jason Edwards = 4+1
7 Jordan Jenkins = 3

This Friday we will be holding a fans night in The Bruce Forrester Lounge.

This will include a full buffet, a drink from the bar, a hot drink, a meeting programme, seating on the balcony plus a centre green visit for 2 heats.

This is strictly on a first come first served basis. The cost is £12 on top of your usual meeting entry.

Anyone interested interested email Ian on indrinkel@msn.com or text on 07827293866

Redcar’s Jordan Jenkins believes his side can remain undefeated in 2022 as the Redcar “Agilia” Bears make their first ever visit to Sandy Lane to take on the Oxford Cheetahs in the first round of the KO Cup tonight, (19:30 start).

The 20 year old believes the Bears can come away from Oxford with the win, “ We can go there and win and that is the ambition of everyone at this club, to go to every meeting and try and win. Our boys, from 1-7, are all determined to win and I know we can do it!”

Jenkins, a 2021 National League champion believes it’s all starting to come together for him, “I’m feeling confident, my gating is feeling much better, I have a Polish meeting on Tuesday so I am hoping that goes well. I’m ready to go and score some points for the Bears”

The Brit believes the KO Cup draw suits the Bears, “Oxford is a real racers track and we have a 1-7 full of racers. I think our side will go there and love the track as it is a great track!”

Despite being one of the youngest members of the Bears side Jenkins is one of only a handful of riders who has recent experience of the Sandy Lane circuit. The Redcar reserve rides for Oxford’s National League team the Oxford Chargers.

Both sides will be without their full strength septets ahead of the meeting. For Redcar, Kasper Andersen has a prior league commitment in his native Denmark, the Bears will use rider replacement in his absence.

Meanwhile, Oxford are without broken leg victim Josh MacDonald. He is replaced by exciting young talent Dan Gilkes. The Cheetahs also welcome back Cameron Heeps from illness as the Australian has missed the last 3 fixtures with illness.

Oxford have a strong side, they are led by their skipper, Scott Nicholls who is joined by another former Grand Prix star in Troy Batchelor. The SGB Championship newcomers also track solid British riders Kyle Newman and Jack Thomas who has started the season in fine form.

Oxford “Monarch” Cheetahs

1 Troy Batchlor 9.11
2 Kyle Newman 5.16
3 Jack Thomas 4.91
4 Cameron Heeps 5.05
5 Scott Nicholls 9.07 (C)
6 Dillon Rumel 4.00
7 Dan Gilkes (g) 4.00

TM Jason Crump/ Peter Schroeck

Redcar “Agilia” Bears

1 Charles Wright 8.37 (C)
2 Adam Roynon 5.08
3 Lewis Kerr 7.47
4 Rider Replacement for Kasper Andersen 5.87
5 Erik Riss 7.84
6 Jason Edwards 2.16
7 Jordan Jenkins 3.61
8 Tom Woolley

TM Jade Mudgway

The Redcar “Agilia” Bears picked up another home win as they saw off a spirited challenge from Leicester to move second in the early SGB Championship table. Redcar’s heat leaders yet again hit double figures to rubberstamp their authority at the Ecco Arena.

Redcar again proved they are a different animal in 2022 as they started strong as they won the first 3 races to surge into a 12-6 advantage. Heat 3 saw the Bears engine room begin to fire as a partnership as Lewis Kerr and Kasper Andersen left Leciester’s guest Thomas Jorgensen trailing to register the first maximum heat advantage.

Leicester took the chequered flag for the first time in heat 4 as the impressive Richie Worrall defeated Erik Riss whilst a determined looking Anders Rowe passed Jordan Jenkins to reduce Redcar’s lead to 4.

Redcar’s lead was doubled in heat 5 as Kerr and Andersen combined for another maximum heat advantage but that only tells half the story! Andersen was gifted 2nd as Nick Morris (who tried to dive up the inside of Kerr on lap 3) suffered an engine failure on the last lap which let the Dane through for the paid win.

Charles Wright tried the outside in heat 6 but he could not find a way past Worrall but with Adam Roynon getting the better of Joe Thompson the Lions remained 8 behind. The 7th race saw Erik Riss dive up the inside of Jorgensen spectacularly to take the win on the line, the first of 2 wins he would take on a run to the line!

The Lions took their only maximum heat advantage in heat 8 as the former Bear Rowe took a strong win from the tapes whilst Connor Mountain held off Jenkins to cut Redcar’s lead to 4.

Lewis Kerr won heat 9 with Kasper Andersen in third to stretch Redcar’s stretched lead to 6 with the Kings Lynn Star passing Worrall on the 4th bend of lap 1 and with Andersen in third the Bears recorded their 4th heat advantage of the night.

Wright picked up his second win but the story was the battle for second as Adam Roynon first picked off Jorgensen up the inside and with Dan Thompson running wide this allowed the likeable Cumbrian through for a precious 5-1.

Heat 11 saw Riss dived up the inside of Morris on the fourth bend of the final lap for a photo finish on the line.

The aftermath would not of been out of place in Eastenders as the referee gave Riss the win with Morris incredulous about the decision. The Australian angrily stormed down to the start gate to remonstrate with the referee and undone the tapes in the process, clearly furious about the outcome.

Kerr’s undefeated run was ended by Worrall in heat 12 as the stand in Lions skipper held off a strong outside challenge from last week’s maximum man to bring Leicester within 8 with Rowe in 3rd.

Back to back shared heats followed with Andersen securing the 3 points for the Bears. The Dane pulled off another welcome win as Rowe tried to pass up the inside but to no avail. Heat 15 saw the race of the night as Worrall won comfortably but all of the action was happening behind him as Morris bounced off the boards several times to pass Kerr, only to be re-passed by the Kings Lynn man. Riss looked set to make an inside move stick on Morris only for a charged up Morris to claim third to send the Lions home with a point.

Redcar co-promoter Jamie Swales is happy with another home win, “We performed well again, our heat leaders are the best 3 riders in the league and I am so proud of them. Additionally, Kasper scored paid 10 and he is improving every week. When we have a full 1-7 firing at the same time we will be even harder to beat!”

Redcar Bears = 48

1.  Charles Wright = 10
2.  Adam Roynon = 3+1
3.  Lewis Kerr = 13
4.  Kasper Andersen = 8+2
5.  Erik Riss = 9+1
6.  Jason Edwards = 1
7.  Jordam Jenkins = 4

Leicester Lions = 42

1.  Nick Morris = 8
2.  Connor Mountain = 5+3
3.  Thomas Jorgensen (G) = 5
4.  Dan Thompson = 3+2
5.  Richie Worrall = 15
6.  Anders Rowe = 8
7.  Joe Thompson = 0