![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/4/27448365/1993698.jpg)
Lawson through to British Final
Published 30th April
Redcar number 1 Richard Lawson comfortably qualified for the British Final after scoring 11 points in tonight's semi-final at Rye House. The meeting itself was won by World Champion Tai Woffinden, who carded a flawless 15 point maximum. The other qualifiers on the night were Lewis Bridger, Lewis Blackbird, Jason Garrity,Steve Boxall and Richie Worrall. Redcar's other representative Carl Wilkinson finished the evening with 5 points. The British Final takes place on Monday 16th June at Wolverhampton.
Published 30th April
Redcar number 1 Richard Lawson comfortably qualified for the British Final after scoring 11 points in tonight's semi-final at Rye House. The meeting itself was won by World Champion Tai Woffinden, who carded a flawless 15 point maximum. The other qualifiers on the night were Lewis Bridger, Lewis Blackbird, Jason Garrity,Steve Boxall and Richie Worrall. Redcar's other representative Carl Wilkinson finished the evening with 5 points. The British Final takes place on Monday 16th June at Wolverhampton.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/4/27448365/6658575.jpg)
Bears stars in British Semi-Final
Published 30th April
Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' Bears stars Carl Wilkinson and Richard Lawson are competing in the British Semi Final tonight at Rye House, 7:30pm start. Both riders have been in great form for the Bears, and will fancy their chances of finishing in the top 7 and progressing through to the final.
The competition will be stiff though, none more so than current world Champion Tai Woffinden, who returns to his former club for the meeting. British U21 runner up Adam Ellis, Lewis Bridger and Richie Worrall will also be looking for good nights.
Published 30th April
Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' Bears stars Carl Wilkinson and Richard Lawson are competing in the British Semi Final tonight at Rye House, 7:30pm start. Both riders have been in great form for the Bears, and will fancy their chances of finishing in the top 7 and progressing through to the final.
The competition will be stiff though, none more so than current world Champion Tai Woffinden, who returns to his former club for the meeting. British U21 runner up Adam Ellis, Lewis Bridger and Richie Worrall will also be looking for good nights.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/4/27448365/9098083.jpg)
Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing Supplies’ Bears v Somerset ’Cases’ Rebels – Premier League – Thursday 1st May – Tapes 7:30pm
Published 29th April
The month of May is here and the speedway season is kicking on with meetings coming thick and fast. Last week the Bears won their opening league meeting against a dogged Glasgow side and also held Plymouth to eight points away in the first leg of the knock out cup. If Redcar have any plans of emulating last season’s race to the play-offs, then home wins are a must. Things are not going to be easy though, as this week the Bears will be racing wheel to wheel with the current Premier league champions, the Somerset Rebels. Bears manager Jitendra Duffill believes Somerset are again one of the teams to beat in the Premier League: “I'm expecting a very tough match against Somerset. They are one of the best sides in the Premier League again this year and have a very strong top 4 and a reserve in great from. In order to win this meeting everyone will have to be on top of their game and show their best form and I feel it will be a real test for us. We need to be winning meetings like this in order to keep our ambitions of reaching the play offs alive. I'm expecting a close contest and I'm sure this will be a very entertaining fixture.”
Somerset have started this season in good form picking up six wins, a draw and three narrow defeats in all competitions. Redcar will be at full strength and need to be. They won’t be underestimating anybody, especially the champs, but each Bear rider has had at times, excellent meetings so far and if they all fire together, then they are a match for anybody. Lawson and Summers have started the season on fire and have been well backed up by Skidmore and Wilkinson. Add to that the high points tally gained by reserve Graversen and the promise, in glimpses, of new comer Crang then things are coming together nicely. That leaves one rider, and the growing emergence of the Polish rider, Rafal Konopka, who is becoming a bit of a cult figure down at the South Tees Motorsports Park. Signed to temporarily replace the suspended Richard Hall, Rafal started slowly, struggled for points, but certainly showed a spirit and no lack of effort in his opening rides. Lately, that spirit has started to show results, with some fast riding, wins and at times, breath-taking overtaking manoeuvres.
Duffill is looking for his side to show a bit more consistency, but is pleased with the progress Konopka is showing: “We have seen some excellent form from all of our riders this year, though we need a little more consistency. We can be a match for anybody at home, especially as Rafal Konopka seems to be finding his feet at this level with good display's at home to Glasgow and away to Plymouth last week. Rafal has bags of potential and shows great track craft. He is learning quickly and many would be surprised to discover that he has only been riding for 2 years.”
The Somerset Rebels, though impressive, aren't the side that their promotion wanted to put together for the season as visa problems meant that their number one rider, Jason Doyle couldn't qualify to race at the premier league level. Jason was quickly replaced with ex-bear Ty Proctor, who himself was replaced by Somerset favourite, Nick Morris before a wheel was turned. The Australian has slotted into the number one race jacket and already has some high scores and 16 meetings under his belt this season riding for the Rebels and doubling up with Elite league Swindon Robins. Indeed, Nick will miss the meeting on Thursday as he will be riding for Swindon. He is replaced by Workington’s Ricky Wells.
Pontus Aspgren, also a late addition to the team, originally brought it to replace Nick Morris after a mix-up in overstepping the points limit for the Rebels team. The young Swede, began his premier league career in July last year, riding for Rye House and notched up an impressive 6.74 average. Captain and third heat leader, Oliver Allen also moves from Rye House, bringing experience and a healthy 8.09 average. A broken arm meant Oliver missed a large chunk of last season, but returned at the end and walked off with the Premier League Riders’ Championship at Sheffield. Young sensation Brady Kurtz and ex Bear Charles Wright complete the top 5, with Wright having performed brilliantly at reserve over the last few weeks and making the step up. Todd Kurtz and Paul Starke fill the reserve spots, with Charles Wright moving into the main body of the side this looks to weaken the Rebels slightly.
It should be a great meeting on Thursday night, and Duffill is excited by the prospect: “I'm looking forward to this fixture; it’s definitely one that should not be missed!”
Redcar Bears (in alphabetical order): Aaron Summers, Carl Wilkinson, Hugh Skidmore, Jan Graversen, Luke Crang, Rafal Konopka, Richard Lawson
Somerset Rebels: Brady Kurtz, Charles Wright, Olly Allen, Paul Starke, Pontus Aspgren, Ricky Wells (guest), Todd Kurtz.
Published 29th April
The month of May is here and the speedway season is kicking on with meetings coming thick and fast. Last week the Bears won their opening league meeting against a dogged Glasgow side and also held Plymouth to eight points away in the first leg of the knock out cup. If Redcar have any plans of emulating last season’s race to the play-offs, then home wins are a must. Things are not going to be easy though, as this week the Bears will be racing wheel to wheel with the current Premier league champions, the Somerset Rebels. Bears manager Jitendra Duffill believes Somerset are again one of the teams to beat in the Premier League: “I'm expecting a very tough match against Somerset. They are one of the best sides in the Premier League again this year and have a very strong top 4 and a reserve in great from. In order to win this meeting everyone will have to be on top of their game and show their best form and I feel it will be a real test for us. We need to be winning meetings like this in order to keep our ambitions of reaching the play offs alive. I'm expecting a close contest and I'm sure this will be a very entertaining fixture.”
Somerset have started this season in good form picking up six wins, a draw and three narrow defeats in all competitions. Redcar will be at full strength and need to be. They won’t be underestimating anybody, especially the champs, but each Bear rider has had at times, excellent meetings so far and if they all fire together, then they are a match for anybody. Lawson and Summers have started the season on fire and have been well backed up by Skidmore and Wilkinson. Add to that the high points tally gained by reserve Graversen and the promise, in glimpses, of new comer Crang then things are coming together nicely. That leaves one rider, and the growing emergence of the Polish rider, Rafal Konopka, who is becoming a bit of a cult figure down at the South Tees Motorsports Park. Signed to temporarily replace the suspended Richard Hall, Rafal started slowly, struggled for points, but certainly showed a spirit and no lack of effort in his opening rides. Lately, that spirit has started to show results, with some fast riding, wins and at times, breath-taking overtaking manoeuvres.
Duffill is looking for his side to show a bit more consistency, but is pleased with the progress Konopka is showing: “We have seen some excellent form from all of our riders this year, though we need a little more consistency. We can be a match for anybody at home, especially as Rafal Konopka seems to be finding his feet at this level with good display's at home to Glasgow and away to Plymouth last week. Rafal has bags of potential and shows great track craft. He is learning quickly and many would be surprised to discover that he has only been riding for 2 years.”
The Somerset Rebels, though impressive, aren't the side that their promotion wanted to put together for the season as visa problems meant that their number one rider, Jason Doyle couldn't qualify to race at the premier league level. Jason was quickly replaced with ex-bear Ty Proctor, who himself was replaced by Somerset favourite, Nick Morris before a wheel was turned. The Australian has slotted into the number one race jacket and already has some high scores and 16 meetings under his belt this season riding for the Rebels and doubling up with Elite league Swindon Robins. Indeed, Nick will miss the meeting on Thursday as he will be riding for Swindon. He is replaced by Workington’s Ricky Wells.
Pontus Aspgren, also a late addition to the team, originally brought it to replace Nick Morris after a mix-up in overstepping the points limit for the Rebels team. The young Swede, began his premier league career in July last year, riding for Rye House and notched up an impressive 6.74 average. Captain and third heat leader, Oliver Allen also moves from Rye House, bringing experience and a healthy 8.09 average. A broken arm meant Oliver missed a large chunk of last season, but returned at the end and walked off with the Premier League Riders’ Championship at Sheffield. Young sensation Brady Kurtz and ex Bear Charles Wright complete the top 5, with Wright having performed brilliantly at reserve over the last few weeks and making the step up. Todd Kurtz and Paul Starke fill the reserve spots, with Charles Wright moving into the main body of the side this looks to weaken the Rebels slightly.
It should be a great meeting on Thursday night, and Duffill is excited by the prospect: “I'm looking forward to this fixture; it’s definitely one that should not be missed!”
Redcar Bears (in alphabetical order): Aaron Summers, Carl Wilkinson, Hugh Skidmore, Jan Graversen, Luke Crang, Rafal Konopka, Richard Lawson
Somerset Rebels: Brady Kurtz, Charles Wright, Olly Allen, Paul Starke, Pontus Aspgren, Ricky Wells (guest), Todd Kurtz.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/4/27448365/5626128.jpg)
New Greensheet Averages released
Published 28th April
The latest set of greensheet averages have been released, which will come into effect from the 1st May. The new set of averages for the Bears are:
Lawson: 8.59
Summers: 7.36
Konopka: 7.00
Skidmore: 5.96
Wilko: 5.92
Graversen: 5.52
Crang: 3.00
Published 28th April
The latest set of greensheet averages have been released, which will come into effect from the 1st May. The new set of averages for the Bears are:
Lawson: 8.59
Summers: 7.36
Konopka: 7.00
Skidmore: 5.96
Wilko: 5.92
Graversen: 5.52
Crang: 3.00
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/4/27448365/6445553.jpg)
Bears in 1st Leg Defeat
Published 25th April
Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' Bears lost out 49-41 to the Plymouth Devils in the first leg of the KO Cup at St Boniface Arena on Friday night. Carl Wilkinson top scored for the Bears with 9+1, whilst Rafal Konopka kept his form from Thursday night going with an impressive 7.
Plymouth Devils = 49
1. Ben Barker - 3, 3, 3, 3, 2' = 14+1 Paid Maximum
2. Kyle Newman R/R - KK 0, BR 0, RJ 0, RB 0 = 0
3. Roland Benko - 2', 2, 0, 0, 0 = 4+1
4. Rasmus Jensen - 3, 0, 0, 2, 1' = 6+1
5. Sam Simota - 3, 1, 1, 2', 3 = 10+1
6. Kalle Katajisto - 0, 3, 0, 3, 3, 3, 2 = 14
7. Ben Reade - 0, 1, 0 = 1
Redcar Bears = 41
1. Theo Pijper - 1', 1, 2, 1 = 5+1
2. Rafal Konopka - 2, 3, 2, 0, F = 7
3. Hugh Skidmore - 0, 2', 2, 2 = 6+1
4. Carl Wilkinson - 1, 3, 1', 3, 1 = 9+1
5. Aaron Summers - 0, 2, 3, 0 = 5
6. Jan Graversen - 2, 1', 1, 1', 0 = 5+2
7. Luke Crang - 1', 2, 1' = 4+2
Full meeting report to follow
Published 25th April
Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' Bears lost out 49-41 to the Plymouth Devils in the first leg of the KO Cup at St Boniface Arena on Friday night. Carl Wilkinson top scored for the Bears with 9+1, whilst Rafal Konopka kept his form from Thursday night going with an impressive 7.
Plymouth Devils = 49
1. Ben Barker - 3, 3, 3, 3, 2' = 14+1 Paid Maximum
2. Kyle Newman R/R - KK 0, BR 0, RJ 0, RB 0 = 0
3. Roland Benko - 2', 2, 0, 0, 0 = 4+1
4. Rasmus Jensen - 3, 0, 0, 2, 1' = 6+1
5. Sam Simota - 3, 1, 1, 2', 3 = 10+1
6. Kalle Katajisto - 0, 3, 0, 3, 3, 3, 2 = 14
7. Ben Reade - 0, 1, 0 = 1
Redcar Bears = 41
1. Theo Pijper - 1', 1, 2, 1 = 5+1
2. Rafal Konopka - 2, 3, 2, 0, F = 7
3. Hugh Skidmore - 0, 2', 2, 2 = 6+1
4. Carl Wilkinson - 1, 3, 1', 3, 1 = 9+1
5. Aaron Summers - 0, 2, 3, 0 = 5
6. Jan Graversen - 2, 1', 1, 1', 0 = 5+2
7. Luke Crang - 1', 2, 1' = 4+2
Full meeting report to follow
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/4/27448365/8982228.jpg)
Bears win in thriller
Published 24th April
Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' Bears came out on top in a thrilling meeting against Glasgow 'Allied Vehicles Tigers 51-42. As the fog rolled in from the River Tees, both sets of riders provided the fans with some superb racing. Through the ever thickening mist and fog, the meeting went to the last heat for the Bears to secure all three points in their opening premier league fixture of the season. Instantly the Bears were 4 points behind after heat 1 as the Tigers raced to an opening heat 5-1 with deja-vu from last week in the back of Redcar fans minds. Things didn't improve in heat 2 with Luke Crang harshly excluded after falling, in what looked like a tight first corner and a possible tap which unsettled the Bears rider, but the referee saw different.
Heat 3, and the meeting was all square with a 5-1 from Carl Wilkinson and Hugh Skidmore. Wilko gated, and with ex-Bear Mark Lemon clinging on to second, Skidmore chased and timely passed the Tiger on the last lap. Aaron Summers raced to a heat win in heat 4 before a great race in heat 5 when Wilkinson swooped around the Tigers pair to take the lead. Young French sensation Dimitri Berge chased and passed the Bear on the last bend, but Wilkinson never closed the throttle and raced out wide in the dirt to pip the Tiger on the line.
Swapped 4-2's in heats 6 and 7 kept the scores level at 21 points each before a first heat win was taken by new Polish rider Rafal Konopka in heat 8, with the Bears fans cheering him home. With Jan Graversen following the Pole home, the Bears got their noses in front by 4 points.
In heat 9 the Bears were all set for a second 5-1, but the Tigers reserve, never stopped chasing and was rewarded with second when Wilkinson ran out wide on the last bend, letting Kasper Lykke under him.
Race of the night, Heat 10 saw the Bears stretch their lead to 10 points with a heat win for Lawson, but all the action was behind him as the improving Konopka and the Tigers Harrison swapping places with the Pole getting the better of the Tiger to the line.
With the Tigers 10 points down out came the Tigers on a tactical, with Dimitri Berge racing for a double points win and his partner, Wolbert chasing and passing Graversen, a 7-2 halved the Bears lead. Double trouble in the next heat with the Tigers sniffing a match win, Harrison and Lykke raced to a 5-1 and now closed the Bears lead to just 1 point.
Onto heat 13 and the match could be heading either way, Lawson and Summers gated and were chased hard by Wolbert. All three raced to the line, but with the Bears hanging on, Wolbert lost control, and flipped back off his bike as he crossed the line. A closely following Pijpep showed amazing reactions to lay down his bike and some how avoid the falling Wolbert, but unfortunately couldn't avoid his bike and took a nasty looking bang as he slid into it. Both riders looked sore but were up and OK.
Graversen added another match (paid) double figure score to his tally with a win in heat 14 leaving the Bears leading by 47 points to 40. A drawn or winning heat 15 was still needed by the Bears to gather all 3 match points and Lawson raced to the win. Summers took third giving Redcar a welcome 51 to 42 Victory. A topsy turvy meeting, but Redcar got there in the end and have begun their league campaign with a ' not so easy', but hard fought and welcome win in the end.
Redcar = 51
1. Richard Lawson 0, 2, 3, 2', 3 = 10+1
2. Rafal Konopka 1, 0, 3, 2' = 6+1
3. Hugh Skidmore 2', 0, 3, 1 = 6+1
4. Carl Wilkinson 3, 3, 1, 1 = 8
5. Aaron Summers 3, 3, 2, 3, 1 = 12
6. Jan Graversen 3, 1, 2', 0, 3 = 9+1
7. Luke Crang Fx, 0, 0 = 0
Glasgow = 42
1. Kevin Wolbert 2', 1', 1, X = 4+2
2. Dimitri Berge 3, 2, 1, 6!, 0 = 12
3. Rusty Harrison 0, 2, 1, 3, 2 = 8
4. Mark Lemon 1, 0, 0, 0 = 1
5. Theo Pijper 1', 3, 0, 1 = 5+1
6. Kasper Lykke 2, 1, 2, 2', 2 = 9+1
7. Anders Thomsen 1', 2, R = 3+1
Published 24th April
Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' Bears came out on top in a thrilling meeting against Glasgow 'Allied Vehicles Tigers 51-42. As the fog rolled in from the River Tees, both sets of riders provided the fans with some superb racing. Through the ever thickening mist and fog, the meeting went to the last heat for the Bears to secure all three points in their opening premier league fixture of the season. Instantly the Bears were 4 points behind after heat 1 as the Tigers raced to an opening heat 5-1 with deja-vu from last week in the back of Redcar fans minds. Things didn't improve in heat 2 with Luke Crang harshly excluded after falling, in what looked like a tight first corner and a possible tap which unsettled the Bears rider, but the referee saw different.
Heat 3, and the meeting was all square with a 5-1 from Carl Wilkinson and Hugh Skidmore. Wilko gated, and with ex-Bear Mark Lemon clinging on to second, Skidmore chased and timely passed the Tiger on the last lap. Aaron Summers raced to a heat win in heat 4 before a great race in heat 5 when Wilkinson swooped around the Tigers pair to take the lead. Young French sensation Dimitri Berge chased and passed the Bear on the last bend, but Wilkinson never closed the throttle and raced out wide in the dirt to pip the Tiger on the line.
Swapped 4-2's in heats 6 and 7 kept the scores level at 21 points each before a first heat win was taken by new Polish rider Rafal Konopka in heat 8, with the Bears fans cheering him home. With Jan Graversen following the Pole home, the Bears got their noses in front by 4 points.
In heat 9 the Bears were all set for a second 5-1, but the Tigers reserve, never stopped chasing and was rewarded with second when Wilkinson ran out wide on the last bend, letting Kasper Lykke under him.
Race of the night, Heat 10 saw the Bears stretch their lead to 10 points with a heat win for Lawson, but all the action was behind him as the improving Konopka and the Tigers Harrison swapping places with the Pole getting the better of the Tiger to the line.
With the Tigers 10 points down out came the Tigers on a tactical, with Dimitri Berge racing for a double points win and his partner, Wolbert chasing and passing Graversen, a 7-2 halved the Bears lead. Double trouble in the next heat with the Tigers sniffing a match win, Harrison and Lykke raced to a 5-1 and now closed the Bears lead to just 1 point.
Onto heat 13 and the match could be heading either way, Lawson and Summers gated and were chased hard by Wolbert. All three raced to the line, but with the Bears hanging on, Wolbert lost control, and flipped back off his bike as he crossed the line. A closely following Pijpep showed amazing reactions to lay down his bike and some how avoid the falling Wolbert, but unfortunately couldn't avoid his bike and took a nasty looking bang as he slid into it. Both riders looked sore but were up and OK.
Graversen added another match (paid) double figure score to his tally with a win in heat 14 leaving the Bears leading by 47 points to 40. A drawn or winning heat 15 was still needed by the Bears to gather all 3 match points and Lawson raced to the win. Summers took third giving Redcar a welcome 51 to 42 Victory. A topsy turvy meeting, but Redcar got there in the end and have begun their league campaign with a ' not so easy', but hard fought and welcome win in the end.
Redcar = 51
1. Richard Lawson 0, 2, 3, 2', 3 = 10+1
2. Rafal Konopka 1, 0, 3, 2' = 6+1
3. Hugh Skidmore 2', 0, 3, 1 = 6+1
4. Carl Wilkinson 3, 3, 1, 1 = 8
5. Aaron Summers 3, 3, 2, 3, 1 = 12
6. Jan Graversen 3, 1, 2', 0, 3 = 9+1
7. Luke Crang Fx, 0, 0 = 0
Glasgow = 42
1. Kevin Wolbert 2', 1', 1, X = 4+2
2. Dimitri Berge 3, 2, 1, 6!, 0 = 12
3. Rusty Harrison 0, 2, 1, 3, 2 = 8
4. Mark Lemon 1, 0, 0, 0 = 1
5. Theo Pijper 1', 3, 0, 1 = 5+1
6. Kasper Lykke 2, 1, 2, 2', 2 = 9+1
7. Anders Thomsen 1', 2, R = 3+1
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/4/27448365/8876583.jpg)
Plymouth 'Skills Group' Devils vs Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' Bears - KO Cup - Friday 25th April - 7:15pm start
Published 25th April
Redcar Bears face the long trip to Devon on Friday to face Plymouth Devils in Knockout Cup action. The Bears will again be without the services of Richard Lawson, who is riding for Lakeside in Elite League action. The Bears have enlisted the services of Theo Pijper as a guest, who will be in action against Redcar on Thursday night for Glasgow. Theo has started the season well, but Bears boss Jitendra Duffill admits that replacing Lawson will be tough:
"We will be missing Richard Lawson for this fixture which is a big loss for us. No guest available to us can match Richard's scoring potential, so we will need a contribution from every member of the side to compensate for the loss."
Plymouth have had a decent start to the season after a couple of disappointing season since stepping up to the Premier League, and the form of Kalle Katajisto at reserve has been key to that. Duffill is expecting a tough fixture: "Plymouth have had a fairly mixed bag of results this year and they seem to be relying quite heavily on the performances of reserve Kalle Katajisto, who is in great form. Plymouth are not known to have a great record at home but they look to be a much stronger side this season than they have over the last few, so I expect a tough fixture."
The Bears will go to Plymouth in confident mood though, going into the meeting in decent away form. The Newcastle meeting apart, Redcar have won in Scunthorpe and lost a last heat decider in Sheffield. Duffill is hoping that Redcar's own flying reserve, Jan Graversen, can keep his recent form going and help the Bears to a good result: "We are a side that will always tend to favour the bigger, faster circuits but Plymouth is a well proportioned track so we should be capable of doing well there, especially if Jan Graversen can replicate recent performances from reserve. As always we will be going there to win, but if we can keep it close for the second leg that will be a decent result."
Plymouth's Kyle Newman will have a late fitness test after crashing last week. If he fails, r/r will operate for him. Plymouth's side also contains Team GB international Ben Barker, highly rated Dane Rasmus Jensen and the experienced Sam Simota.
Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing Supplies’ Bears: Aaron Summers, Carl Wilkinson, Hugh Skidmore, Jan Graversen, Luke Crang, Rafal Konopka, Theo Pijper (Guest)
Plymouth 'Skills Group' Devils: Ben Barker, Ben Reade, Kalle Katajisto, Kyle Newman, Rasmus Jensen, Roland Benko, Sam Simota.
Published 25th April
Redcar Bears face the long trip to Devon on Friday to face Plymouth Devils in Knockout Cup action. The Bears will again be without the services of Richard Lawson, who is riding for Lakeside in Elite League action. The Bears have enlisted the services of Theo Pijper as a guest, who will be in action against Redcar on Thursday night for Glasgow. Theo has started the season well, but Bears boss Jitendra Duffill admits that replacing Lawson will be tough:
"We will be missing Richard Lawson for this fixture which is a big loss for us. No guest available to us can match Richard's scoring potential, so we will need a contribution from every member of the side to compensate for the loss."
Plymouth have had a decent start to the season after a couple of disappointing season since stepping up to the Premier League, and the form of Kalle Katajisto at reserve has been key to that. Duffill is expecting a tough fixture: "Plymouth have had a fairly mixed bag of results this year and they seem to be relying quite heavily on the performances of reserve Kalle Katajisto, who is in great form. Plymouth are not known to have a great record at home but they look to be a much stronger side this season than they have over the last few, so I expect a tough fixture."
The Bears will go to Plymouth in confident mood though, going into the meeting in decent away form. The Newcastle meeting apart, Redcar have won in Scunthorpe and lost a last heat decider in Sheffield. Duffill is hoping that Redcar's own flying reserve, Jan Graversen, can keep his recent form going and help the Bears to a good result: "We are a side that will always tend to favour the bigger, faster circuits but Plymouth is a well proportioned track so we should be capable of doing well there, especially if Jan Graversen can replicate recent performances from reserve. As always we will be going there to win, but if we can keep it close for the second leg that will be a decent result."
Plymouth's Kyle Newman will have a late fitness test after crashing last week. If he fails, r/r will operate for him. Plymouth's side also contains Team GB international Ben Barker, highly rated Dane Rasmus Jensen and the experienced Sam Simota.
Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing Supplies’ Bears: Aaron Summers, Carl Wilkinson, Hugh Skidmore, Jan Graversen, Luke Crang, Rafal Konopka, Theo Pijper (Guest)
Plymouth 'Skills Group' Devils: Ben Barker, Ben Reade, Kalle Katajisto, Kyle Newman, Rasmus Jensen, Roland Benko, Sam Simota.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/4/27448365/3840460.jpg)
Redcar Bears vs Glasgow Tigers preview - Premier League - 24th April - 7:30pm start
Published 22nd April
The start of the Premier league speedway season kicks off on Thursday when the Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' Bears welcome to the South Tees Motorsports Park the Glasgow 'Allied Vehicles' Tigers. First race 7-30pm.
After lasts weeks disappointing defeat at the hands of Sheffield and possible exit from the League cup competition the Bears will be hoping to kick start the league season with a victory and a much improved display. The Bears welcome back their new number 1, Richard Lawson, who unfortunately missed last weeks defeat, which left a huge gap in the teams points scoring after the previous two meetings maximum 15 points.
Glasgow, after the retirement of their two top riders, Joe Screen and James Grieves have built a fresh new team with only one rider returning to the side from last season.
New number 1 for the Tigers is German international, Kevin Wolbert. Kevin, who has two successful seasons in the Elite league under his belt, has suffered with not finding a team place this season there and is hoping to catch the eye of Elite league bosses by riding well in the Premier league.
Glasgow's second heat leader, is former Tiger, Rusty Harrison. The Aussie, who began his speedway career for Glasgow, before having various spells riding for Workington, Stoke, Edinburgh and King Lynn, before settling at Workington and holding down a team place for four seasons, but missing out this season with the Comets.
Theo Pijper returns to the Tigers after two seasons riding for neighbours Edinburgh. A rare Dutchman in speedway, Theo brings experience to the tigers after 14 years in and out of Premier and Elite league speedway in Britain.
More experience comes to the Glasgow team with veteran rider Aussie, Mark Lemon. Mark came to British speedway in 1990 for the then, second division side Poole. His first full season in speedway the following year was with our own Middlesbrough Tigers. Since then Mark has become much travelled and has rode for a number of clubs at all levels.
Three youngsters join the Tigers to give a good balance to their side. Firstly, 18 year old Frenchman Dimitri Berge comes with a big pedigree in oval racing after picking up two world championships. First in 2009 he became 125cc world grasstrack champion, then in 2012 250cc world longtrack champion. Dane, Kasper Lykke Nielsen, came to British speedway in 2012 riding for Rye House. Excellent home form was slightly let down by disappointing away form last season. Hopefully, more consistent scoring for the Tigers will be wanted this year for his new team. Finally, the only rider to return from last season, is Danish youngster Anders Thomsen. Signed halfway through last season, Anders showed enough to the Glasgow management team to be rewarded with a full contract for this year.
On paper, the Glasgow team looks to have ticked all the boxes in team building, but so far results have been disappointing in the league cup competition with four defeats in four meetings. They will be hoping for a change in fortune, on Thursday in a different competition, but the Bears will also be looking for the league points, and put behind them last weeks disappointing result.
Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing Supplies’ Bears: Aaron Summers, Carl Wilkinson, Hugh Skidmore, Jan Graversen, Luke Crang, Rafal Konopka, Richard Lawson
Glasgow 'Allied Vehicle' Tigers: Anders Thomsen, Dimitri Berge,Kasper Lykke Nielsen, Kevin Wolbert, Mark Lemon, Rusty Harrison, Theo Pijper
Published 22nd April
The start of the Premier league speedway season kicks off on Thursday when the Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' Bears welcome to the South Tees Motorsports Park the Glasgow 'Allied Vehicles' Tigers. First race 7-30pm.
After lasts weeks disappointing defeat at the hands of Sheffield and possible exit from the League cup competition the Bears will be hoping to kick start the league season with a victory and a much improved display. The Bears welcome back their new number 1, Richard Lawson, who unfortunately missed last weeks defeat, which left a huge gap in the teams points scoring after the previous two meetings maximum 15 points.
Glasgow, after the retirement of their two top riders, Joe Screen and James Grieves have built a fresh new team with only one rider returning to the side from last season.
New number 1 for the Tigers is German international, Kevin Wolbert. Kevin, who has two successful seasons in the Elite league under his belt, has suffered with not finding a team place this season there and is hoping to catch the eye of Elite league bosses by riding well in the Premier league.
Glasgow's second heat leader, is former Tiger, Rusty Harrison. The Aussie, who began his speedway career for Glasgow, before having various spells riding for Workington, Stoke, Edinburgh and King Lynn, before settling at Workington and holding down a team place for four seasons, but missing out this season with the Comets.
Theo Pijper returns to the Tigers after two seasons riding for neighbours Edinburgh. A rare Dutchman in speedway, Theo brings experience to the tigers after 14 years in and out of Premier and Elite league speedway in Britain.
More experience comes to the Glasgow team with veteran rider Aussie, Mark Lemon. Mark came to British speedway in 1990 for the then, second division side Poole. His first full season in speedway the following year was with our own Middlesbrough Tigers. Since then Mark has become much travelled and has rode for a number of clubs at all levels.
Three youngsters join the Tigers to give a good balance to their side. Firstly, 18 year old Frenchman Dimitri Berge comes with a big pedigree in oval racing after picking up two world championships. First in 2009 he became 125cc world grasstrack champion, then in 2012 250cc world longtrack champion. Dane, Kasper Lykke Nielsen, came to British speedway in 2012 riding for Rye House. Excellent home form was slightly let down by disappointing away form last season. Hopefully, more consistent scoring for the Tigers will be wanted this year for his new team. Finally, the only rider to return from last season, is Danish youngster Anders Thomsen. Signed halfway through last season, Anders showed enough to the Glasgow management team to be rewarded with a full contract for this year.
On paper, the Glasgow team looks to have ticked all the boxes in team building, but so far results have been disappointing in the league cup competition with four defeats in four meetings. They will be hoping for a change in fortune, on Thursday in a different competition, but the Bears will also be looking for the league points, and put behind them last weeks disappointing result.
Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing Supplies’ Bears: Aaron Summers, Carl Wilkinson, Hugh Skidmore, Jan Graversen, Luke Crang, Rafal Konopka, Richard Lawson
Glasgow 'Allied Vehicle' Tigers: Anders Thomsen, Dimitri Berge,Kasper Lykke Nielsen, Kevin Wolbert, Mark Lemon, Rusty Harrison, Theo Pijper
![Picture](https://www.editmysite.com/editor/images/na.png)
Bears miss out on top spot
Published 18th April
Redcar Bears missed out on top spot of their League Cup table after a disappointing 37-53 defeat at the hands of Sheffield.After a narrow 46-44 defeat the night before and Scunthorpe defeating fellow challengers, Newcastle, the Bears left themselves in a comfortable position where even a narrow defeat would have seen them through to the semi-final, but after loosing heat 1 to a tigers 5-1, the Bears were always chasing the match.
In heat 2 Luke Crang fell whilst second and was disqualified from the re-run, where Jan Graversen gated and raced for the win. The Best race of the night was heat 3 where the Tigers pair gated, but Carl Wilkinson swooped around the outside of Taylor Poole on lap one, then reeled in and did the same to Leigh Lanham. A 4-2 to the Bears in heat 4 got them back to within 2 points of the Tigers, but only just. Summers gated, but on lap 2 Roynon fell and quickly remounted. On lap 3 Crang got into difficulties but managed to stay on-board his bike but was rapidly caught by Roynon, but the Bear hung on for third place.
Heat 5 and the Tigers gated again. Wilkinson was on the case and in a copy of heat 3, first passed Nielsen, then caught and passed Stead, only for Stead to return the favour and repass Wilkinson to the line. Heat 6 was another good race with Doolan and Roynon passing and re-passing each other, with Roynon getting the win. At the back Konopka chased and just got pipped to the line from Compton. A 5-1 for the Bears in heat 7 got the Bears back to within 2 points of the tigers with team riding Summers and Graversen keeping out the chasing Lanham and Poole. A first heat win for the ever improving Young reserve Josh Bates was the sign of things to come in heat 8, who went on to be unbeaten again.
With the track getting slicker and passing harder, the faster gating Tigers stretch their lead to the magical, eight points which was the target they needed to qualify, with heat advantages in heat 9 and 10. By now the under-strength Bears were slipping but still kept up hope with three drawn 3-3 heats and the Tigers hanging on to that 8 point advantage they needed. Enter Josh Bates and Aussie Taylor Poole and the young Tigers raced to back to back 5-1's in heats 14 and 15 and that was that. A point the night before, riders missing or off form are all if's and but's, but nothing can take away a determined Sheffield Tigers who came with a target to aim for and simply took it, growing stronger as the meeting went on and the Bears running out of steam. Next Thursday and the "bread and butter" league season begins.
Redcar Bears = 37
1. Kevin Doolan (G) - 1, 2, 2, 2 = 7
2. Rafal Konopka - 0, 0, 1' = 1+1
3. Hugh Skidmore - 0, 0, 0, X = 0
4. Carl Wilkinson - 3, 2, 1, F, 0 = 6
5. Aaron Summers - 3, 2', 3, 1', 1 = 10+2
6. Jan Graversen - 3, 3, 2, 0, 0, 3, 1 = 12
7. Luke Crang - FX, 1, 0 = 1
Sheffield Tigers = 53
1. Simon Stead - 3, 3, 2, 3 = 11
2. Simon Nielsen - 2', 1, 0, 1' = 4+2
3. Leigh Lanham - 2, 1, 1, 2 = 6
4. Taylor Poole - 1', 0, 3, 2', 2' = 8+3
5. Adam Roynon - 0, 3, 3, 0 = 6
6. Andre Compton - 1', 1, 2', 1' = 5+3
7. Josh Bates - 2, 2, 3, 3, 3 = 13
Published 18th April
Redcar Bears missed out on top spot of their League Cup table after a disappointing 37-53 defeat at the hands of Sheffield.After a narrow 46-44 defeat the night before and Scunthorpe defeating fellow challengers, Newcastle, the Bears left themselves in a comfortable position where even a narrow defeat would have seen them through to the semi-final, but after loosing heat 1 to a tigers 5-1, the Bears were always chasing the match.
In heat 2 Luke Crang fell whilst second and was disqualified from the re-run, where Jan Graversen gated and raced for the win. The Best race of the night was heat 3 where the Tigers pair gated, but Carl Wilkinson swooped around the outside of Taylor Poole on lap one, then reeled in and did the same to Leigh Lanham. A 4-2 to the Bears in heat 4 got them back to within 2 points of the Tigers, but only just. Summers gated, but on lap 2 Roynon fell and quickly remounted. On lap 3 Crang got into difficulties but managed to stay on-board his bike but was rapidly caught by Roynon, but the Bear hung on for third place.
Heat 5 and the Tigers gated again. Wilkinson was on the case and in a copy of heat 3, first passed Nielsen, then caught and passed Stead, only for Stead to return the favour and repass Wilkinson to the line. Heat 6 was another good race with Doolan and Roynon passing and re-passing each other, with Roynon getting the win. At the back Konopka chased and just got pipped to the line from Compton. A 5-1 for the Bears in heat 7 got the Bears back to within 2 points of the tigers with team riding Summers and Graversen keeping out the chasing Lanham and Poole. A first heat win for the ever improving Young reserve Josh Bates was the sign of things to come in heat 8, who went on to be unbeaten again.
With the track getting slicker and passing harder, the faster gating Tigers stretch their lead to the magical, eight points which was the target they needed to qualify, with heat advantages in heat 9 and 10. By now the under-strength Bears were slipping but still kept up hope with three drawn 3-3 heats and the Tigers hanging on to that 8 point advantage they needed. Enter Josh Bates and Aussie Taylor Poole and the young Tigers raced to back to back 5-1's in heats 14 and 15 and that was that. A point the night before, riders missing or off form are all if's and but's, but nothing can take away a determined Sheffield Tigers who came with a target to aim for and simply took it, growing stronger as the meeting went on and the Bears running out of steam. Next Thursday and the "bread and butter" league season begins.
Redcar Bears = 37
1. Kevin Doolan (G) - 1, 2, 2, 2 = 7
2. Rafal Konopka - 0, 0, 1' = 1+1
3. Hugh Skidmore - 0, 0, 0, X = 0
4. Carl Wilkinson - 3, 2, 1, F, 0 = 6
5. Aaron Summers - 3, 2', 3, 1', 1 = 10+2
6. Jan Graversen - 3, 3, 2, 0, 0, 3, 1 = 12
7. Luke Crang - FX, 1, 0 = 1
Sheffield Tigers = 53
1. Simon Stead - 3, 3, 2, 3 = 11
2. Simon Nielsen - 2', 1, 0, 1' = 4+2
3. Leigh Lanham - 2, 1, 1, 2 = 6
4. Taylor Poole - 1', 0, 3, 2', 2' = 8+3
5. Adam Roynon - 0, 3, 3, 0 = 6
6. Andre Compton - 1', 1, 2', 1' = 5+3
7. Josh Bates - 2, 2, 3, 3, 3 = 13
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/4/27448365/320115.jpg)
Bears fall to narrow defeat
Published 17th April
They say that life is a game in inches, and so is speedway, as Redcar Bears just missed out on three valuable away points to consolidate their place at their top of the League Cup group. The Sheffield Tigers fortunes came into stark contrast as they hoped to end a run of disappointing results in previous meetings.
This showed in the opening heats with the Bears getting the better of the early exchanges, Richard Lawson taking the points to record a win in heat one leaving Simon Stead to pass the Tigers Simon Nielsen and then drive under Bears new boy Rafal Konopka for a four two. The Tigers replied with a four two of their own to tie the score after two heats. The visitors then took control in the next four heats with Bears Captain Aaron Summers beating Stead and then combining with Jan Graversen in heat six to make the score 15-21 after six heats.
Heats seven and eight where deadlocked as both teams looked to gain the upper hand. Heat nine saw Leigh Lanham tussle with Summers in a thrilling duel, it appeared that Summers stole it on the line, but referee Peter Clarke gave it to the home rider to cut the deficit to four points. Stead and Josh Bates clawed back another two points in the next race as the momentum swung toward the Tigers. Heat 12 saw Skidmore and Graversen shoot from the gate to extend the lead for the Teesside outfit; however, Lanham eventually ended the young Danes stubborn resistance, slipping by the Bears reserve to make it 35-37 to the Bears with three heats to go.
Lawson and Summers had to settle for a drawn heat as Stead took heat thirteen and were made to scrap for the final point as Summers dropped it over Roynon while entering the final lap. This set up the improving Carl Wilkinson and the luckless Luke Crang into the penultimate heat clinging to a two lead. Despite Wilkinson valiant efforts, he could not overhaul track specialist Andre Compton sending Lawson and Summers out to face Stead and Lanham in a last heat decider.
Stead won it from the gate leaving Lawson in his wake, while Summers unable to land blow and pass Lanham and earn the Bears a draw, sending the visitors home having to be content with the away point.
Sheffield Tigers = 46
1. Simon Stead - 2, 1, 3, 3, 3 = 12
2. Simon Nielsen - 0, 0, X = 0
3. Leigh Lanham - 1, 3, 3, 2, 1 = 9
4. Taylor Poole - 0, 1, 1 = 2
5. Adam Roynon - 2, 3, 1, 0 = 6
6. Andre Compton - 3, 0, 3, 3 = 9
7. Josh Bates - 1, 1', 3, 1, 0, 1 = 7+1
Redcar Bears = 44
1. Richard Lawson - 3, 2, 2, 2, 2 = 11
2. Rafal Konopka - 1, 0, 1', 0 = 2+1
3. Hugh Skidmore - 3, 1', 0, 3 = 7+1
4. Carl Wilkinson - 2', 2, 2, 2 = 8+1
5. Aaron Summers - 3, 3, 2, 1', 0 = 9+1
6. Jan Graversen - 2, 2', 2, 0, 1 = 7+1
7. Luke Crang - 0, 0, 0 = 0
Report by Carl Hurry.
Published 17th April
They say that life is a game in inches, and so is speedway, as Redcar Bears just missed out on three valuable away points to consolidate their place at their top of the League Cup group. The Sheffield Tigers fortunes came into stark contrast as they hoped to end a run of disappointing results in previous meetings.
This showed in the opening heats with the Bears getting the better of the early exchanges, Richard Lawson taking the points to record a win in heat one leaving Simon Stead to pass the Tigers Simon Nielsen and then drive under Bears new boy Rafal Konopka for a four two. The Tigers replied with a four two of their own to tie the score after two heats. The visitors then took control in the next four heats with Bears Captain Aaron Summers beating Stead and then combining with Jan Graversen in heat six to make the score 15-21 after six heats.
Heats seven and eight where deadlocked as both teams looked to gain the upper hand. Heat nine saw Leigh Lanham tussle with Summers in a thrilling duel, it appeared that Summers stole it on the line, but referee Peter Clarke gave it to the home rider to cut the deficit to four points. Stead and Josh Bates clawed back another two points in the next race as the momentum swung toward the Tigers. Heat 12 saw Skidmore and Graversen shoot from the gate to extend the lead for the Teesside outfit; however, Lanham eventually ended the young Danes stubborn resistance, slipping by the Bears reserve to make it 35-37 to the Bears with three heats to go.
Lawson and Summers had to settle for a drawn heat as Stead took heat thirteen and were made to scrap for the final point as Summers dropped it over Roynon while entering the final lap. This set up the improving Carl Wilkinson and the luckless Luke Crang into the penultimate heat clinging to a two lead. Despite Wilkinson valiant efforts, he could not overhaul track specialist Andre Compton sending Lawson and Summers out to face Stead and Lanham in a last heat decider.
Stead won it from the gate leaving Lawson in his wake, while Summers unable to land blow and pass Lanham and earn the Bears a draw, sending the visitors home having to be content with the away point.
Sheffield Tigers = 46
1. Simon Stead - 2, 1, 3, 3, 3 = 12
2. Simon Nielsen - 0, 0, X = 0
3. Leigh Lanham - 1, 3, 3, 2, 1 = 9
4. Taylor Poole - 0, 1, 1 = 2
5. Adam Roynon - 2, 3, 1, 0 = 6
6. Andre Compton - 3, 0, 3, 3 = 9
7. Josh Bates - 1, 1', 3, 1, 0, 1 = 7+1
Redcar Bears = 44
1. Richard Lawson - 3, 2, 2, 2, 2 = 11
2. Rafal Konopka - 1, 0, 1', 0 = 2+1
3. Hugh Skidmore - 3, 1', 0, 3 = 7+1
4. Carl Wilkinson - 2', 2, 2, 2 = 8+1
5. Aaron Summers - 3, 3, 2, 1', 0 = 9+1
6. Jan Graversen - 2, 2', 2, 0, 1 = 7+1
7. Luke Crang - 0, 0, 0 = 0
Report by Carl Hurry.
![Picture](https://www.editmysite.com/editor/images/na.png)
Sheffield League Cup previews (away on Thursday, home on Friday!)
Away leg 7:45pm start - Home Leg 7:30pm start
Published 16th April
Two meetings in two days for the Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' Bears are on offer this week for speedway fans. Both meetings are against the Sheffield 'Window Centre' Tigers. The Bears are away first on Thursday at Owlerton stadium, and then return home on Friday to the South Tees Motor Park. Two wins for the Bears would be ideal in theory as that would maintain their position at the top of the group and send them through to the League cup semi finals. That is easier said than done, but the Bears, on current form will be hoping for the double, as the Tigers have slipped up lately after topping the group early on. Bears manager Jitendra Duffill is hoping to take the confidence gained from the last 3 meetings into this double header: “We have won 3 meetings on the trot now so confidence is running high and the team spirit is good. We now sit comfortably on top of our league cup group and are 4 points clear. 4 points from our 2 fixtures against Sheffield would guarantee progression to the semi-finals so that is our target from these 2 meetings.”
At Sheffield, Redcar will be at full strength, where new signing Rafal Konopka will continue to cover for the suspended Richard Hall. Sheffield could be a good track for Rafal to progress, as it is similar in size to the Polish tracks that he is used to riding on back home. Whilst Rafal only scored 1 on his own debut last week, Duffill thinks he showed signs of promise. “He showed a lot of promise last week, he had a lot of pace but his gating let him down. We need to remember that this was his first meeting this year so he is playing catch up, but I'm sure that he is quick enough to win races if he can put together a few starts. He is committed and keen so I'm sure he will learn quickly.”
Unfortunately, Redcar will be without their double maximum, number 1, Richard Lawson in the Home meeting. The rider, who double's up with Lakeside, has to give priority to the Elite League side, so the Bears will be using former Redcar rider Kevin Doolan as a guest replacement. Duffill admits this will be a blow, but thinks Doolan is capable of doing a job. “Richard Lawson will be a big miss for us on Friday. I don't think any guest would be able to match his points contribution as he is proving to be almost unbeatable at Premier League level at the moment. However, Kevin Doolan is a rider I have always liked and he certainly knows his way around the STMP so hopefully he can do a good job for us."
Home town rider Simon Stead heads this year’s Sheffield team again after starting last season well but ending in May with a badly broken leg. A long winter in rehabilitation has been rewarded with some high scores for Sheffield and also impressive scores for Leicester in the Elite league.
Probably the unluckiest rider in speedway, Adam Roynon, returns to the Tigers after joining them last July after been out injured after a crash at Coventry in March. Unfortunately Adam's season ended 5 weeks later with a broken collarbone. That just about sums up Adams speedway career so far, but every true speedway supporter across the land would wish him a full, injury free season this year.
Aussie ace Taylor Poole returns to the UK after missing out on a team place last year. A remarkable jump from a rookie reserve to a heatleader with a 6.45 average in 2010 for Stoke then a fruitful season for Ipswich a year later was marred in 2012 with an injury hit season.
Veteran, Leigh Lanham joins the tigers from Ipswich. A consistent high scorer and former British under 21 champion.
Danish star Simon Nielsen joins the Tigers after a steady improvement each season which began in 2011 riding for Workington followed by spells at Leicester and Plymouth.
Sheffield legend Andre Compton returns for a full season after making a come-back last year for Glasgow from retirement. All the experience Andre has under his belt is a double bonus for Sheffield as he slots into the team in a reserve position.
17 year old Josh Bates is a local lad to Sheffield and fills in the final reserve place in the Tigers team. Four years in speedway has brought the youngster to this stage after learning the trade through 125 and 250cc machines, then the full 500cc bikes in 2012 and instantly grabbed a place in the Mildenhall team at national league level. Josh withdrew from an Elite league place to focus his full attention to the Tigers. He has started the season promisingly, and indeed was crowned British Under 21 champion on Tuesday night.
It’s a good side on paper, and whilst Duffill is confident his side can take something from these meetings, he doesn’t think it will be easy. “Although we are confident of a good result from these fixtures we certainly don't expect to have it easy. Sheffield have a good side on paper and like ourselves, have a good number one and a strong reserve in Andre Compton so can't be underestimated.
Having said that, we are confident that we can take the required points as we have been strong at home so far and Sheffield is a track we should ride well. Again, I'll be looking for consistency throughout the squad with a contribution from everybody. I'm proud of the way our lads have been performing and want to see them show the same determination they have over the last few meetings.”
Newcastle have fired themselves back into the running to win the group after demolishing Sheffield 63-27 last weekend, so the Bears will be hoping that a 'back on form' Scunthorpe can do them a favour and beat the Diamonds at Scunthorpe also on Friday evening.
1 Redcar ....played 4 Points 10
2 Newcastle " 4 " 6
3 Sheffield " 4 " 6
4 Scunthorpe " 4 " 4
Remaining fixtures...
Sheffield v Redcar
Redcar v Sheffield
Scunthorpe v Newcastle
Newcastle v Scunthorpe
Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing Supplies’ Bears (Thursday): Aaron Summers, Carl Wilkinson, Hugh Skidmore, Jan Graversen, Luke Crang, Rafal Konopka, Richard Lawson
Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing Supplies’ Bears (Friday): Aaron Summers, Carl Wilkinson, Hugh Skidmore, Jan Graversen, Luke Crang, Kevin Doolan (guest), Rafal Konopka
Sheffield ‘Window Centre’ Tigers: Adam Roynon, Andre Compton, Josh Bates, Leigh Lanham, Simon Nielsen, Simon Stead, Taylor Poole
Tapes – Sheffield – 7:45pm
Tapes – Redcar – 7:30pm
Away leg 7:45pm start - Home Leg 7:30pm start
Published 16th April
Two meetings in two days for the Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' Bears are on offer this week for speedway fans. Both meetings are against the Sheffield 'Window Centre' Tigers. The Bears are away first on Thursday at Owlerton stadium, and then return home on Friday to the South Tees Motor Park. Two wins for the Bears would be ideal in theory as that would maintain their position at the top of the group and send them through to the League cup semi finals. That is easier said than done, but the Bears, on current form will be hoping for the double, as the Tigers have slipped up lately after topping the group early on. Bears manager Jitendra Duffill is hoping to take the confidence gained from the last 3 meetings into this double header: “We have won 3 meetings on the trot now so confidence is running high and the team spirit is good. We now sit comfortably on top of our league cup group and are 4 points clear. 4 points from our 2 fixtures against Sheffield would guarantee progression to the semi-finals so that is our target from these 2 meetings.”
At Sheffield, Redcar will be at full strength, where new signing Rafal Konopka will continue to cover for the suspended Richard Hall. Sheffield could be a good track for Rafal to progress, as it is similar in size to the Polish tracks that he is used to riding on back home. Whilst Rafal only scored 1 on his own debut last week, Duffill thinks he showed signs of promise. “He showed a lot of promise last week, he had a lot of pace but his gating let him down. We need to remember that this was his first meeting this year so he is playing catch up, but I'm sure that he is quick enough to win races if he can put together a few starts. He is committed and keen so I'm sure he will learn quickly.”
Unfortunately, Redcar will be without their double maximum, number 1, Richard Lawson in the Home meeting. The rider, who double's up with Lakeside, has to give priority to the Elite League side, so the Bears will be using former Redcar rider Kevin Doolan as a guest replacement. Duffill admits this will be a blow, but thinks Doolan is capable of doing a job. “Richard Lawson will be a big miss for us on Friday. I don't think any guest would be able to match his points contribution as he is proving to be almost unbeatable at Premier League level at the moment. However, Kevin Doolan is a rider I have always liked and he certainly knows his way around the STMP so hopefully he can do a good job for us."
Home town rider Simon Stead heads this year’s Sheffield team again after starting last season well but ending in May with a badly broken leg. A long winter in rehabilitation has been rewarded with some high scores for Sheffield and also impressive scores for Leicester in the Elite league.
Probably the unluckiest rider in speedway, Adam Roynon, returns to the Tigers after joining them last July after been out injured after a crash at Coventry in March. Unfortunately Adam's season ended 5 weeks later with a broken collarbone. That just about sums up Adams speedway career so far, but every true speedway supporter across the land would wish him a full, injury free season this year.
Aussie ace Taylor Poole returns to the UK after missing out on a team place last year. A remarkable jump from a rookie reserve to a heatleader with a 6.45 average in 2010 for Stoke then a fruitful season for Ipswich a year later was marred in 2012 with an injury hit season.
Veteran, Leigh Lanham joins the tigers from Ipswich. A consistent high scorer and former British under 21 champion.
Danish star Simon Nielsen joins the Tigers after a steady improvement each season which began in 2011 riding for Workington followed by spells at Leicester and Plymouth.
Sheffield legend Andre Compton returns for a full season after making a come-back last year for Glasgow from retirement. All the experience Andre has under his belt is a double bonus for Sheffield as he slots into the team in a reserve position.
17 year old Josh Bates is a local lad to Sheffield and fills in the final reserve place in the Tigers team. Four years in speedway has brought the youngster to this stage after learning the trade through 125 and 250cc machines, then the full 500cc bikes in 2012 and instantly grabbed a place in the Mildenhall team at national league level. Josh withdrew from an Elite league place to focus his full attention to the Tigers. He has started the season promisingly, and indeed was crowned British Under 21 champion on Tuesday night.
It’s a good side on paper, and whilst Duffill is confident his side can take something from these meetings, he doesn’t think it will be easy. “Although we are confident of a good result from these fixtures we certainly don't expect to have it easy. Sheffield have a good side on paper and like ourselves, have a good number one and a strong reserve in Andre Compton so can't be underestimated.
Having said that, we are confident that we can take the required points as we have been strong at home so far and Sheffield is a track we should ride well. Again, I'll be looking for consistency throughout the squad with a contribution from everybody. I'm proud of the way our lads have been performing and want to see them show the same determination they have over the last few meetings.”
Newcastle have fired themselves back into the running to win the group after demolishing Sheffield 63-27 last weekend, so the Bears will be hoping that a 'back on form' Scunthorpe can do them a favour and beat the Diamonds at Scunthorpe also on Friday evening.
1 Redcar ....played 4 Points 10
2 Newcastle " 4 " 6
3 Sheffield " 4 " 6
4 Scunthorpe " 4 " 4
Remaining fixtures...
Sheffield v Redcar
Redcar v Sheffield
Scunthorpe v Newcastle
Newcastle v Scunthorpe
Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing Supplies’ Bears (Thursday): Aaron Summers, Carl Wilkinson, Hugh Skidmore, Jan Graversen, Luke Crang, Rafal Konopka, Richard Lawson
Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing Supplies’ Bears (Friday): Aaron Summers, Carl Wilkinson, Hugh Skidmore, Jan Graversen, Luke Crang, Kevin Doolan (guest), Rafal Konopka
Sheffield ‘Window Centre’ Tigers: Adam Roynon, Andre Compton, Josh Bates, Leigh Lanham, Simon Nielsen, Simon Stead, Taylor Poole
Tapes – Sheffield – 7:45pm
Tapes – Redcar – 7:30pm
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/4/27448365/7468081.jpg)
Friday night this week!
Published 14th April
Fans are reminded that our next home meeting is on Friday this week, against Sheffield in the League Cup. We are away to Sheffield on the Thursday. Richard Lawson is riding for his parent club on Friday, so Kevin Doolan will guest in his place. Full meeting previews will appear here shortly.
Published 14th April
Fans are reminded that our next home meeting is on Friday this week, against Sheffield in the League Cup. We are away to Sheffield on the Thursday. Richard Lawson is riding for his parent club on Friday, so Kevin Doolan will guest in his place. Full meeting previews will appear here shortly.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/4/27448365/5061307.jpg)
Redcar vs Newcastle Match Report
Published 11th April
The old cliche "game of two halves", can best describe last nights local speedway derby between the Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' Bears and Newcastle 'Sapphire Engineering' Diamonds.
In the early stages both sides swapped the lead and were never more than four points apart. The second half and the Bears drifted into the distance and ran up a comfortable win by 55 points to 35. It was deja vu for the Bears star of the night rider, Richard Lawson, who racked up a full maximum for the second week running.
After the first three heats the Bears were down by 2 points after a tangle of handlebars for new signing Rafal Konopka and Christian Henry leaving the new pole struggling to stay on his bike in the first heat and Carl Wilkinson never leaving the startline with machine gremlins in heat 3.
A 5-1 heat advantage for Redcar in heat 4 with Crang gating and Summers chasing and passing Rosen to join the promising reserve up front, got the Bears their nose in front.
Close races were shared until heat 7 when Summers gated and left the other three with a classic race with them all fighting for second place which was taken by Robson, but Graversen's third place gave Redcar a heat advantage 4-2.
Newcastle's best race was in heat 8 when the Diamonds pair gated, but held on to an hard charging Konopka, who tried every line on the track to pass, but giving Bears fans their first glimpse that the new Pole has it in him to mix it and keep pace with riders at Premier league level. That 5-1 brought the scores level at 24-24
Heat 9 was the beginning of the end for the Diamonds. Skidmore gated leaving Schramm and Wilkingson to swapp places and elbows with the Newcastle rider getting the better of the Bear at the line. But that 4-2 was followed by three 5-1 and a 4-2 heat advantages to Redcar who pulled away from the now deflated Diamonds.
Kerr gave the Newcastles fans something to cheer, with a win in heat 14, before a final 5-1 for Lawson and Skidmore in heat 15 who romped away with the victory.
Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' Bears = 55
1. Richard Lawson 15
2. Rafal Konopka 1
3. Hugh Skidmore 13
4. Carl Wilkinson 3
5. Aaron Summers 10
6. Jan Graversen 9
7. Luke Crang 4
Newcastle 'Sapphire Engineering' Diamonds = 35
1. Ludvig Lindgren 3
2. Christian Henry 8
3. Stuart Robson 7
4. Lewis Kerr 4
5. Anton Rosen 3
6. Chris Schramm 7
7. Lewis Rose 3
Published 11th April
The old cliche "game of two halves", can best describe last nights local speedway derby between the Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' Bears and Newcastle 'Sapphire Engineering' Diamonds.
In the early stages both sides swapped the lead and were never more than four points apart. The second half and the Bears drifted into the distance and ran up a comfortable win by 55 points to 35. It was deja vu for the Bears star of the night rider, Richard Lawson, who racked up a full maximum for the second week running.
After the first three heats the Bears were down by 2 points after a tangle of handlebars for new signing Rafal Konopka and Christian Henry leaving the new pole struggling to stay on his bike in the first heat and Carl Wilkinson never leaving the startline with machine gremlins in heat 3.
A 5-1 heat advantage for Redcar in heat 4 with Crang gating and Summers chasing and passing Rosen to join the promising reserve up front, got the Bears their nose in front.
Close races were shared until heat 7 when Summers gated and left the other three with a classic race with them all fighting for second place which was taken by Robson, but Graversen's third place gave Redcar a heat advantage 4-2.
Newcastle's best race was in heat 8 when the Diamonds pair gated, but held on to an hard charging Konopka, who tried every line on the track to pass, but giving Bears fans their first glimpse that the new Pole has it in him to mix it and keep pace with riders at Premier league level. That 5-1 brought the scores level at 24-24
Heat 9 was the beginning of the end for the Diamonds. Skidmore gated leaving Schramm and Wilkingson to swapp places and elbows with the Newcastle rider getting the better of the Bear at the line. But that 4-2 was followed by three 5-1 and a 4-2 heat advantages to Redcar who pulled away from the now deflated Diamonds.
Kerr gave the Newcastles fans something to cheer, with a win in heat 14, before a final 5-1 for Lawson and Skidmore in heat 15 who romped away with the victory.
Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' Bears = 55
1. Richard Lawson 15
2. Rafal Konopka 1
3. Hugh Skidmore 13
4. Carl Wilkinson 3
5. Aaron Summers 10
6. Jan Graversen 9
7. Luke Crang 4
Newcastle 'Sapphire Engineering' Diamonds = 35
1. Ludvig Lindgren 3
2. Christian Henry 8
3. Stuart Robson 7
4. Lewis Kerr 4
5. Anton Rosen 3
6. Chris Schramm 7
7. Lewis Rose 3
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/4/27448365/2686830.jpg)
Bears defeat the Diamonds
Published 10th April
Richard Lawson stormed to another 15 point maximum as Redcar Bears ran out 55-35 winners against Newcastle Diamonds in the League Cup. Hugh Skidmore and Aaron Summers provided great support with 13+1 and 10+2 respectively.
Redcar Bears = 55
1. Richard Lawson - 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 = FULL MAXIMUM
2. Rafal Konopka - F, 0, 1 = 1
3. Hugh Skidmore - 2, 3, 3, 3, 2' = 13+1
4. Carl Wilkinson - EF, 0, 1, 2 = 3
5. Aaron Summers - 2', 3, 3, 2' = 10+2 PAID MAXIMUM
6. Jan Graversen - 3, 1, 2', 1, 2' = 9+2
7. Luke Crang - 0, 3, 0, 1' = 4+1
Newcastle Diamonds = 35
1. Ludvig Lindgren - 1', 1', 0, 0 = 2+2
2. Christian Henry - 2, 2, 3, 2, 0 = 9
3. Stuart Robson - 3, 2, 1, 0, 1 = 7
4. Lewis Kerr - 1, 0, 0, 3 = 4
5. Anton Rosen - 1, 1', 0, 1 = 3+1
6. Chris Schramm - 2, 2, 2, 1 = 7
7. Lewis Rose - 1', 0, 2', 0 = 3+2
Full meeting report to follow.
Published 10th April
Richard Lawson stormed to another 15 point maximum as Redcar Bears ran out 55-35 winners against Newcastle Diamonds in the League Cup. Hugh Skidmore and Aaron Summers provided great support with 13+1 and 10+2 respectively.
Redcar Bears = 55
1. Richard Lawson - 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 = FULL MAXIMUM
2. Rafal Konopka - F, 0, 1 = 1
3. Hugh Skidmore - 2, 3, 3, 3, 2' = 13+1
4. Carl Wilkinson - EF, 0, 1, 2 = 3
5. Aaron Summers - 2', 3, 3, 2' = 10+2 PAID MAXIMUM
6. Jan Graversen - 3, 1, 2', 1, 2' = 9+2
7. Luke Crang - 0, 3, 0, 1' = 4+1
Newcastle Diamonds = 35
1. Ludvig Lindgren - 1', 1', 0, 0 = 2+2
2. Christian Henry - 2, 2, 3, 2, 0 = 9
3. Stuart Robson - 3, 2, 1, 0, 1 = 7
4. Lewis Kerr - 1, 0, 0, 3 = 4
5. Anton Rosen - 1, 1', 0, 1 = 3+1
6. Chris Schramm - 2, 2, 2, 1 = 7
7. Lewis Rose - 1', 0, 2', 0 = 3+2
Full meeting report to follow.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/4/27448365/6911174.jpg)
Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' Bears v Newcastle 'Sapphire Engineering' Diamonds - League Cup - Thursday 10th April - Tapes 7:30pm
Published 9th April
Local adversaries, The Newcastle 'Sapphire Engineering' Diamonds, are Thursdays speedway opponents for the Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' Bears. The South Tees Motorsports Park is the venue for the Bears second home meeting in the league cup where pride, as well as points are on the agenda.
Last week the Bears were on the ropes after two heavy defeats, but back to back wins against Scunthorpe, have gained Redcar seven points and shot them from the bottom to the top of the northern group of the league cup table.
Redcar will have new Pole Rafal Konopka in the side for the suspended Richard Hall, and will be hoping to continue their impressive change in form, where a win would make the following weeks back to back meetings v Sheffield all the more exciting in a now wide open group. A win for Newcastle would make them favourites for winning the group, but even a defeat for the Diamonds wouldn't leave them out of it with them still to face Sheffield at home and Scunthorpe, the groups struggler’s, both home and away. Either way its a massively important meeting for both teams if they have plans of winning the group.
Both team will be hoping Scunthorpe can take something from their trip to Sheffield on the same night.
Table...
1 Redcar ......7 points
2 Sheffield ... 6
3 Newcastle ..3
4 Scunthorpe. 0
Newcastle bring to the STMP a familiar looking side with the main change been their number one rider from last season Richie Worrall moving to Ipswich. On paper though, that doesn't look to have weakened the Diamonds and have still put together a strong looking team.
Moving up to ride at number 1 is Swede, Ludvig Lindgren, the younger brother of Grand prix star Freddie. Since his signing for Newcastle in 2012, Ludvig has become a regular high scorer for the Diamonds.
Australian Christian Henry has been in and around the Diamonds team for a number of years now. Always popular, and one of the leagues strongest second string riders.
Sunderland born, Stuart Robson first rode for the Diamonds back in 1993. Long spells out of the sport through injury, mixed with spells in the elite league for various clubs led to a return to Newcastle again full time last season.
Lewis Kerr, from Norfolk, enjoyed a impressive first season, last year for Newcastle. Starting at reserve, but steady improvement lifted the rider up into the main body of the team, where high scores for Newcastle continued.
The second Swede in the team, Anton Rosen joined the Diamonds late last year, but instantly scored heavily for his new team. leaving no doubts for a return, and full season in 2014.
Essex boy, Chris Schramm returns and brings to the Diamonds years of experience to a reserve slot which the Diamonds often utilize to great effect.
Promising British youth, Lewis Rose, completes the Diamonds this season. Lewis began racing in 2012, and a full season last year riding for King Lynn Stars with solids racing and points scoring was enough to warrant him a place in the Diamonds team.
Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing Supplies’ Bears: Aaron Summers, Carl Wilkinson, Hugh Skidmore, Jan Graversen, Luke Crang, Rafal Konopka, Richard Lawson
Newcastle 'Sapphire Engineering' Diamonds: Anton Rosen, Chris Schramm, Christian Henry, Lewis Kerr, Lewis Rose, Ludvig Lindgren, Stuart Robson
The meeting starts @ 7.30pm.
Published 9th April
Local adversaries, The Newcastle 'Sapphire Engineering' Diamonds, are Thursdays speedway opponents for the Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' Bears. The South Tees Motorsports Park is the venue for the Bears second home meeting in the league cup where pride, as well as points are on the agenda.
Last week the Bears were on the ropes after two heavy defeats, but back to back wins against Scunthorpe, have gained Redcar seven points and shot them from the bottom to the top of the northern group of the league cup table.
Redcar will have new Pole Rafal Konopka in the side for the suspended Richard Hall, and will be hoping to continue their impressive change in form, where a win would make the following weeks back to back meetings v Sheffield all the more exciting in a now wide open group. A win for Newcastle would make them favourites for winning the group, but even a defeat for the Diamonds wouldn't leave them out of it with them still to face Sheffield at home and Scunthorpe, the groups struggler’s, both home and away. Either way its a massively important meeting for both teams if they have plans of winning the group.
Both team will be hoping Scunthorpe can take something from their trip to Sheffield on the same night.
Table...
1 Redcar ......7 points
2 Sheffield ... 6
3 Newcastle ..3
4 Scunthorpe. 0
Newcastle bring to the STMP a familiar looking side with the main change been their number one rider from last season Richie Worrall moving to Ipswich. On paper though, that doesn't look to have weakened the Diamonds and have still put together a strong looking team.
Moving up to ride at number 1 is Swede, Ludvig Lindgren, the younger brother of Grand prix star Freddie. Since his signing for Newcastle in 2012, Ludvig has become a regular high scorer for the Diamonds.
Australian Christian Henry has been in and around the Diamonds team for a number of years now. Always popular, and one of the leagues strongest second string riders.
Sunderland born, Stuart Robson first rode for the Diamonds back in 1993. Long spells out of the sport through injury, mixed with spells in the elite league for various clubs led to a return to Newcastle again full time last season.
Lewis Kerr, from Norfolk, enjoyed a impressive first season, last year for Newcastle. Starting at reserve, but steady improvement lifted the rider up into the main body of the team, where high scores for Newcastle continued.
The second Swede in the team, Anton Rosen joined the Diamonds late last year, but instantly scored heavily for his new team. leaving no doubts for a return, and full season in 2014.
Essex boy, Chris Schramm returns and brings to the Diamonds years of experience to a reserve slot which the Diamonds often utilize to great effect.
Promising British youth, Lewis Rose, completes the Diamonds this season. Lewis began racing in 2012, and a full season last year riding for King Lynn Stars with solids racing and points scoring was enough to warrant him a place in the Diamonds team.
Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing Supplies’ Bears: Aaron Summers, Carl Wilkinson, Hugh Skidmore, Jan Graversen, Luke Crang, Rafal Konopka, Richard Lawson
Newcastle 'Sapphire Engineering' Diamonds: Anton Rosen, Chris Schramm, Christian Henry, Lewis Kerr, Lewis Rose, Ludvig Lindgren, Stuart Robson
The meeting starts @ 7.30pm.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/4/27448365/8725130.jpg)
Bears move to bring in Konopka
Published 9th April
After the news of Richard Hall's 30 day suspension was confirmed, Redcar Bears moved quickly and have brought in 21 year old Pole Rafal Konopka to cover. He will make his debut in tomorrow night's clash against Newcastle, and comes highly recommended by Adam Skornicki.
Published 9th April
After the news of Richard Hall's 30 day suspension was confirmed, Redcar Bears moved quickly and have brought in 21 year old Pole Rafal Konopka to cover. He will make his debut in tomorrow night's clash against Newcastle, and comes highly recommended by Adam Skornicki.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/4/27448365/3456150.jpg)
Bears taking bookings for Plymouth Away
Published 8th April
Redcar Bears are hoping to run a 16 seater coach to Plymouth on the 25th April for the 1st Leg of the Knockout Cup. The cost of this will be around £95, based on bus trip and 1 night's overnight stay.
Depending on the level of interest, we may run a 33 seater bus. If this is the case then cost will be cut accordingly. If all those interested can pass their names to Brian Havelock ASAP, we can then gauge interest and hopefully give this trip the go-ahead.
Published 8th April
Redcar Bears are hoping to run a 16 seater coach to Plymouth on the 25th April for the 1st Leg of the Knockout Cup. The cost of this will be around £95, based on bus trip and 1 night's overnight stay.
Depending on the level of interest, we may run a 33 seater bus. If this is the case then cost will be cut accordingly. If all those interested can pass their names to Brian Havelock ASAP, we can then gauge interest and hopefully give this trip the go-ahead.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/4/27448365/5350829.jpg)
Scunthorpe 'Fluid Air Power' Scorpions vs Redcar 'Echo Finishing Supplies' Bears match report.
Published 7th April
You just can’t script stuff like this, a meeting that just about had it all, drama, big decisions, lost keys and some cracking racing to boot. The visitors came into this match on an high after a big win against the Scorpions days earlier, while the North Lincolnshire outfit where hoping to regroup after the loss of Anders Mellgren to a serious back injury.
Bears number one Richard Lawson reeled off two wins from his first two heats, easily outpacing guest Leigh Lanham and David Howe from the gate in a soggy heat one. Luke Crang continued his good form in heat two by making the gate, but had to settle for second place after the home rider Ryan Douglas neatly passed him round the outside on bends three and four on the third lap to take the win.
Heat four saw the unlucky Crang stop then Josh Auty grind to a halt with mechanical problems three laps later; allowing Bears Captain Aaron Summers to take the win from the entertaining Douglas. Surprisingly Auty then elected not to push his machine home for the point, instead he vented his anger by dropping it on the back straight and trudged silently back to the pits. Heat six saw the Scorpions hit back with a 5-1 from Lanham and Howe over Summers and Graversen to make it 17-18.
Then a controversial heat seven saw coming together involving Richard Hall and Auty which brought the meeting to the boil. After a hard first turn the Scunthorpe man was excluded for bring down the Redcar heat leader on the second bend, Hall then appeared to raise his leg and kick out at the injured Auty whist still on the ground, which incensed the home supporters. Subsequently he was then controversially thrown out the meeting by the referee Mr Peter Clarke for his actions leaving the Bears to cover with only one rider in his remaining outings.
The meeting was then delayed for a further twenty minutes while the medical personal caring for Auty retraced their steps to find the keys to the beleaguered County Ambulance on turns one and two. They might of wished they had left it there, as the brilliant Skidmore sped from the gate to win the rerun and make it 20 points a piece.
Summers and Graversen took heat nine to put the Bears in front 24-28, Skidmore then produced a match winning ride as he held off both Howe and Lanham gaining a crucial win to keep the momentum with the Bears. The exciting Douglas then produced the pass of the night in the next heat as he rounded both Lawson and Wilkinson on bends one and two to keep the home side in it.
The Scorpions used Douglas in the next three heats to try and claw back valuable points, but by this time fatigue had set in, and when Summers and Lawson extended the visitors lead to eight and then Graversen saw off Birks and Douglas in the penultimate heat the writing was on the wall for the home team. Lawson and Summers put the match beyond the home team and finished the job in heat 15 to make the final score 37-50 to the Bears in a very eventful meeting.
Report courtesy of Carl Hurry.
Published 7th April
You just can’t script stuff like this, a meeting that just about had it all, drama, big decisions, lost keys and some cracking racing to boot. The visitors came into this match on an high after a big win against the Scorpions days earlier, while the North Lincolnshire outfit where hoping to regroup after the loss of Anders Mellgren to a serious back injury.
Bears number one Richard Lawson reeled off two wins from his first two heats, easily outpacing guest Leigh Lanham and David Howe from the gate in a soggy heat one. Luke Crang continued his good form in heat two by making the gate, but had to settle for second place after the home rider Ryan Douglas neatly passed him round the outside on bends three and four on the third lap to take the win.
Heat four saw the unlucky Crang stop then Josh Auty grind to a halt with mechanical problems three laps later; allowing Bears Captain Aaron Summers to take the win from the entertaining Douglas. Surprisingly Auty then elected not to push his machine home for the point, instead he vented his anger by dropping it on the back straight and trudged silently back to the pits. Heat six saw the Scorpions hit back with a 5-1 from Lanham and Howe over Summers and Graversen to make it 17-18.
Then a controversial heat seven saw coming together involving Richard Hall and Auty which brought the meeting to the boil. After a hard first turn the Scunthorpe man was excluded for bring down the Redcar heat leader on the second bend, Hall then appeared to raise his leg and kick out at the injured Auty whist still on the ground, which incensed the home supporters. Subsequently he was then controversially thrown out the meeting by the referee Mr Peter Clarke for his actions leaving the Bears to cover with only one rider in his remaining outings.
The meeting was then delayed for a further twenty minutes while the medical personal caring for Auty retraced their steps to find the keys to the beleaguered County Ambulance on turns one and two. They might of wished they had left it there, as the brilliant Skidmore sped from the gate to win the rerun and make it 20 points a piece.
Summers and Graversen took heat nine to put the Bears in front 24-28, Skidmore then produced a match winning ride as he held off both Howe and Lanham gaining a crucial win to keep the momentum with the Bears. The exciting Douglas then produced the pass of the night in the next heat as he rounded both Lawson and Wilkinson on bends one and two to keep the home side in it.
The Scorpions used Douglas in the next three heats to try and claw back valuable points, but by this time fatigue had set in, and when Summers and Lawson extended the visitors lead to eight and then Graversen saw off Birks and Douglas in the penultimate heat the writing was on the wall for the home team. Lawson and Summers put the match beyond the home team and finished the job in heat 15 to make the final score 37-50 to the Bears in a very eventful meeting.
Report courtesy of Carl Hurry.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/4/27448365/7970752.jpg)
Bears romp to away win!
Published 6th April
Redcar Bears continued their good form from Thursday night with a convincing 50-37 win at Scunthorpe on Sunday afternoon. Richard Lawson again top scored, but it was strong all round display
.Scunthorpe = 37
1. Leigh Lanham (G) 2,2*,1*,1,1 = 7+2
2. David Howe 1*,3,2,2,0 = 8+1
3. Thomas Jorgensen 3,2,0,0 = 5
4. Ashley Birks 0,0,1,2 = 3
5. Josh Auty R,X-Withdrawn = 0
6. Matt Williamson 0,2,0 = 2
7. Ryan Douglas 3,2,1*,3,3,0,F = 12+1
Redcar = 50
1. Richard Lawson 3,3,1*,3,3 = 13+1
2. Carl Wilkinson 0,1,3,2 = 6
3. Hugh Skidmore 2,3,3,2 = 10
4. Richard Hall 1* - = 1+1
5. Aaron Summers 3,1,2*,2*,2* = 10+3
6. Jan Graversen 1*,0,3,1*,3 = 8+2
7. Luke Crang 2,R,0 = 2
Full meeting report to follow.
Published 6th April
Redcar Bears continued their good form from Thursday night with a convincing 50-37 win at Scunthorpe on Sunday afternoon. Richard Lawson again top scored, but it was strong all round display
.Scunthorpe = 37
1. Leigh Lanham (G) 2,2*,1*,1,1 = 7+2
2. David Howe 1*,3,2,2,0 = 8+1
3. Thomas Jorgensen 3,2,0,0 = 5
4. Ashley Birks 0,0,1,2 = 3
5. Josh Auty R,X-Withdrawn = 0
6. Matt Williamson 0,2,0 = 2
7. Ryan Douglas 3,2,1*,3,3,0,F = 12+1
Redcar = 50
1. Richard Lawson 3,3,1*,3,3 = 13+1
2. Carl Wilkinson 0,1,3,2 = 6
3. Hugh Skidmore 2,3,3,2 = 10
4. Richard Hall 1* - = 1+1
5. Aaron Summers 3,1,2*,2*,2* = 10+3
6. Jan Graversen 1*,0,3,1*,3 = 8+2
7. Luke Crang 2,R,0 = 2
Full meeting report to follow.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/4/27448365/9908798.jpg)
Scunthorpe ‘Fluid Air Power’ Scorpions v Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing supplies’ Bears – League Cup – Sunday April 6
Published 4th April
Redcar Bears will be looking to continue on from where they left off on Thursday night, as they travel to Lincolnshire to take on Scunthorpe at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Sunday (Tapes 3pm). Scunthorpe will be hurting following Thursdays 63-27 reverse, and will no doubt be looking to make amends on Sunday afternoon. The Bears though, will go into the meeting with a renewed confidence after the big home win, with Bears manager Jitendra Duffill hoping they can carry that form to Sunday’s meeting. “Thursday night's result was a huge confidence boost for the team, winning races gives you that belief in your own ability and hopefully we can carry that into Sunday's meeting against Scunthorpe. It was very unfortunate for them to lose Anders Mellgren in the first heat due to injury, it's always awful to see any rider get hurt and I'd like to wish him and Scunthorpe well. I hope we see him back on a bike soon and I hope his injuries are not as bad as they first appeared to be.”
The Bears have 3 ex-Scorpions in their side, with Carl Wilkinson, Richard Hall and Jan Graversen all having pulled on the Scunthorpe racejacket in the past. Duffill is looking for a good contribution not just from them but from the whole side: “Carl, Richard and Jan are all ex-Scorpions so they all know their way around the place well and will be hoping to score well. I will be hoping for a contribution from the whole team as everyone is capable of performing well there.”
Richard Lawson has made a superb start to the season for both the Bears and Lakeside in the Elite League, whilst skipper Aaron Summers played a starring role in Thursdays win. Luke Crang, voted rider of the night on Thursday, will also be buoyed after getting his first PL heat win.
Duffill is expecting a sterner test on Sunday, although is confident of the Bears getting their first away win of the season: “Scunthorpe will be a different team at home, they usually ride their own track well but they will be expecting a tough meeting Sunday and I'm sure they will be a little worried after last night's performance. We certainly believe that we can win at the Eddie Wright Raceway and there is huge pressure on the Scorpions to perform now as they have lost their first 2 meetings, including one at home. A win on Sunday will give us at least an extra 3 League Cup points and that would stand us in good stead of winning our group, so we are all fired up for it and can't wait to get stuck in. Let's hope for a successful, entertaining and safe meeting!”
Scunthorpe ‘Fluid Air Power’ Scorpions (in alphabetical order): Ashley Birks, David Howe, Josh Auty, Leigh Lanham (Guest), Matt Williamson, Ryan Douglas, Thomas Jorgenson.
Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing Supplies’ Bears: Aaron Summers, Carl Wilkinson, Hugh Skidmore, Jan Graversen, Luke Crang, Richard Hall, Richard Lawson
Keep in touch with all Redcar Bears news on Facebook and Twitter.
Published 4th April
Redcar Bears will be looking to continue on from where they left off on Thursday night, as they travel to Lincolnshire to take on Scunthorpe at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Sunday (Tapes 3pm). Scunthorpe will be hurting following Thursdays 63-27 reverse, and will no doubt be looking to make amends on Sunday afternoon. The Bears though, will go into the meeting with a renewed confidence after the big home win, with Bears manager Jitendra Duffill hoping they can carry that form to Sunday’s meeting. “Thursday night's result was a huge confidence boost for the team, winning races gives you that belief in your own ability and hopefully we can carry that into Sunday's meeting against Scunthorpe. It was very unfortunate for them to lose Anders Mellgren in the first heat due to injury, it's always awful to see any rider get hurt and I'd like to wish him and Scunthorpe well. I hope we see him back on a bike soon and I hope his injuries are not as bad as they first appeared to be.”
The Bears have 3 ex-Scorpions in their side, with Carl Wilkinson, Richard Hall and Jan Graversen all having pulled on the Scunthorpe racejacket in the past. Duffill is looking for a good contribution not just from them but from the whole side: “Carl, Richard and Jan are all ex-Scorpions so they all know their way around the place well and will be hoping to score well. I will be hoping for a contribution from the whole team as everyone is capable of performing well there.”
Richard Lawson has made a superb start to the season for both the Bears and Lakeside in the Elite League, whilst skipper Aaron Summers played a starring role in Thursdays win. Luke Crang, voted rider of the night on Thursday, will also be buoyed after getting his first PL heat win.
Duffill is expecting a sterner test on Sunday, although is confident of the Bears getting their first away win of the season: “Scunthorpe will be a different team at home, they usually ride their own track well but they will be expecting a tough meeting Sunday and I'm sure they will be a little worried after last night's performance. We certainly believe that we can win at the Eddie Wright Raceway and there is huge pressure on the Scorpions to perform now as they have lost their first 2 meetings, including one at home. A win on Sunday will give us at least an extra 3 League Cup points and that would stand us in good stead of winning our group, so we are all fired up for it and can't wait to get stuck in. Let's hope for a successful, entertaining and safe meeting!”
Scunthorpe ‘Fluid Air Power’ Scorpions (in alphabetical order): Ashley Birks, David Howe, Josh Auty, Leigh Lanham (Guest), Matt Williamson, Ryan Douglas, Thomas Jorgenson.
Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing Supplies’ Bears: Aaron Summers, Carl Wilkinson, Hugh Skidmore, Jan Graversen, Luke Crang, Richard Hall, Richard Lawson
Keep in touch with all Redcar Bears news on Facebook and Twitter.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/4/27448365/4302255.jpg)
Bears hammer the Scorpions
Published 3rd April
Richard Lawson stormed to a perfect 15 point maximum as Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' beat Scunthorpe 'Fluid Air Power' Scorpions 63-27 on Thursday night. The Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' Bears returned home after two away defeats to trounce the Scunthorpe 'Fluid Air Power' Scorpions 63-27.
Things started badly for Scunthorpe in the first heat and on the first bend, with what looked like Anders Mellgren loosing control of his bike, leaving nowhere for Lawson to go but into then over him. The accident had Lawsons bike almost going over the new air fence and Mellgren leaving the track in the ambulance, after a long delay with paramedics aiding the rider on track. In the re-run Lawson and partner Carl Wilkinson gated and winning the heat 5-1 which started and set
the tone for the rest of the meeting.
By heat 4 the Bears stretch their lead to 16-8 with a 5-1 and first premier league heat win for Luke Crang. The Bears gated and Crang lead, but a master class in team riding from Aaron Summers shielded Crang for 4 laps from the attacking Scorpions pair to the cheering Bears fans delight.
Heat 5 stood out with Scunthorpe's Ryan Douglas taking the lead with Skidmore and Hall chasing. Hall passed his partner then set about reeling in Douglas for the remaining 3 laps, using the wide line and passing Douglas just as the rider shed a chain and falling in a shower of sparks, aiding the Bears another 5 points.
Heat 7 and the Bears raced into a 20 point lead with another 5-1. Ashley Birks took a tactical ride for Scunthorpe hoping to close the gap on the raging Bears, but when Summers gated Graversen split between the Scorpions and joined Summers to the finish line.
Heats 8 and 9 had similar incidents with first Douglas diving under Wilkinson causing a crash, then Auty doing the same in the next heat with Hall been forced into the air fence where he remained stuck for several moments before been aided from his trapped position. With another pair of 5-1's from those two heats the Bears had raced to a massive 41-13 lead.
Heat 11 Had Howe gating and doing well to hold off a hard chasing Summers who tried every line available to pass, who missed out by a foot on the line.
By now the points were in the bag, but heat 14 provided another spectacular race. The over-used Douglas in his 7th heat made the gate but was chased and passed by Graversen at the end of the first lap. Douglas tried all he could to regain the lead but the impressive Graversen eased away. The battle for third was just as thrilling as Birks did all he could to fend off Hall for third, with the Bears rider riding wider and wider and pipping the Scorpion on the line.
Heat 15 Had Lawson and Summers rubbing salt into Scunthorpe's wounds with the Bears 9th 5-1 on the Night and ending the match in style.
A lap of honour and the customary speedway bumps for the Bears new number 1 Richard Lawson for an immaculate 15 maximum.
After the two previous away defeats no-one was expecting such a dominant Bears victory against a strong looking Scunthorpe team, but determination and a new team spirit paved the way for a heavy 63-27 victory.
Redcar Bears = 63
1. Richard Lawson - 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 = 15 FULL MAXIMUM
2. Carl Wilkinson - 2', 2', 3, 0 = 7+2
3. Hugh Skidmore - 0, 2', 3, 2 = 7+1
4. Richard Hall - 2, 3, 2', 1 = 8+1
5. Aaron Summers - 2', 3, 2, 2', 2' = 11+3
6. Jan Graversen - 3, 2', 1', 3 = 9+2
7. Luke Crang - 1, 3, 2', 0 = 6+1
Scunthorpe Scorpions = 27
1. Anders Mellgren - Withdrawn
2. David Howe - 0, 1, 1, 3, 1 = 5
3. Thomas Jorgensen - 1, 0, 2, 3, 0 = 6
4. Ashley Birks - 3, 1^, 1', 0 = 5+1
5. Josh Auty - 1, 1, X, 1 = 3
6. Matt Williamson - 2, 0, 1, 1, 0 = 4
7. Ryan Douglas - 1, R, 0, 0, X^, F, 2 = 3
Published 3rd April
Richard Lawson stormed to a perfect 15 point maximum as Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' beat Scunthorpe 'Fluid Air Power' Scorpions 63-27 on Thursday night. The Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' Bears returned home after two away defeats to trounce the Scunthorpe 'Fluid Air Power' Scorpions 63-27.
Things started badly for Scunthorpe in the first heat and on the first bend, with what looked like Anders Mellgren loosing control of his bike, leaving nowhere for Lawson to go but into then over him. The accident had Lawsons bike almost going over the new air fence and Mellgren leaving the track in the ambulance, after a long delay with paramedics aiding the rider on track. In the re-run Lawson and partner Carl Wilkinson gated and winning the heat 5-1 which started and set
the tone for the rest of the meeting.
By heat 4 the Bears stretch their lead to 16-8 with a 5-1 and first premier league heat win for Luke Crang. The Bears gated and Crang lead, but a master class in team riding from Aaron Summers shielded Crang for 4 laps from the attacking Scorpions pair to the cheering Bears fans delight.
Heat 5 stood out with Scunthorpe's Ryan Douglas taking the lead with Skidmore and Hall chasing. Hall passed his partner then set about reeling in Douglas for the remaining 3 laps, using the wide line and passing Douglas just as the rider shed a chain and falling in a shower of sparks, aiding the Bears another 5 points.
Heat 7 and the Bears raced into a 20 point lead with another 5-1. Ashley Birks took a tactical ride for Scunthorpe hoping to close the gap on the raging Bears, but when Summers gated Graversen split between the Scorpions and joined Summers to the finish line.
Heats 8 and 9 had similar incidents with first Douglas diving under Wilkinson causing a crash, then Auty doing the same in the next heat with Hall been forced into the air fence where he remained stuck for several moments before been aided from his trapped position. With another pair of 5-1's from those two heats the Bears had raced to a massive 41-13 lead.
Heat 11 Had Howe gating and doing well to hold off a hard chasing Summers who tried every line available to pass, who missed out by a foot on the line.
By now the points were in the bag, but heat 14 provided another spectacular race. The over-used Douglas in his 7th heat made the gate but was chased and passed by Graversen at the end of the first lap. Douglas tried all he could to regain the lead but the impressive Graversen eased away. The battle for third was just as thrilling as Birks did all he could to fend off Hall for third, with the Bears rider riding wider and wider and pipping the Scorpion on the line.
Heat 15 Had Lawson and Summers rubbing salt into Scunthorpe's wounds with the Bears 9th 5-1 on the Night and ending the match in style.
A lap of honour and the customary speedway bumps for the Bears new number 1 Richard Lawson for an immaculate 15 maximum.
After the two previous away defeats no-one was expecting such a dominant Bears victory against a strong looking Scunthorpe team, but determination and a new team spirit paved the way for a heavy 63-27 victory.
Redcar Bears = 63
1. Richard Lawson - 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 = 15 FULL MAXIMUM
2. Carl Wilkinson - 2', 2', 3, 0 = 7+2
3. Hugh Skidmore - 0, 2', 3, 2 = 7+1
4. Richard Hall - 2, 3, 2', 1 = 8+1
5. Aaron Summers - 2', 3, 2, 2', 2' = 11+3
6. Jan Graversen - 3, 2', 1', 3 = 9+2
7. Luke Crang - 1, 3, 2', 0 = 6+1
Scunthorpe Scorpions = 27
1. Anders Mellgren - Withdrawn
2. David Howe - 0, 1, 1, 3, 1 = 5
3. Thomas Jorgensen - 1, 0, 2, 3, 0 = 6
4. Ashley Birks - 3, 1^, 1', 0 = 5+1
5. Josh Auty - 1, 1, X, 1 = 3
6. Matt Williamson - 2, 0, 1, 1, 0 = 4
7. Ryan Douglas - 1, R, 0, 0, X^, F, 2 = 3
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/4/27448365/7583411.jpg)
Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' Bears v Scunthorpe 'Fluid Air Power' Scorpions - League Cup - 3rd April
Tapes 7:30pm
Published 2nd April
The South Tees Motor Sports Park opens the Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' Bears league cup campaign this Thursday 3rd April 7.30pm, against the
Scunthorpe 'Fluid Air Power' Scorpions. After last weeks double rain-off, and two heavy away defeats at Berwick (57-37) and Newcastle (60-29), the team will be hoping for an improvement at home. Scunthorpe surprisingly suffered a defeat at home v Sheffield at the
weekend so are also looking for a win.
Scunthorpe have a familiar side to previous seasons and after winning the Premier league in 2012, the management have decided not to change the line-up to much again and have stuck with five riders from last season and so have added only two new. With no standout number one, the Scorpions have put together a solid team with strength in depth, which, on paper are many people’s favourites again for the league title.
New number 1 signing is Anders Mellgren, a Swede loaned to the Scorpions from parent club Rye House.
Ashley Birks from Yorkshire returns from last season, which ended with a horrific crash and a major operation to pin together a broken back whilst riding at Plymouth.
Also returning another Yorkshire man, Josh Auty. A born racer and crowd favorite. Josh a former British Under-15 Champion, started his premier league career as Bear in 2008.
Thomas Jorgensen returns for a fourth consecutive season for Scunthorpe. Having been voted "rider of the year" twice already, the Scorpions fans are pleased to see the Dane return.
Matt Williamson, a former motorcross rider joins the Scorpions and starts his first season in the premier league, having ridden for Buxton last season.
David Howe returns for his sixth season for Scunthorpe. He often rode at number one and is hoping to collect that race jacket again having suffered an injury-hit season last year, which ended early in August.
(Flying) Ryan Douglas starts his second season. He started slowly last year, but patience in the rider paid dividends as he found form and started to put together some high, often double figure scores in the second half of the season.
Redcar, who suffered a few heavy falls at the weekend, should be unchanged.
Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing Supplies’ Bears (in alphabetical order): Aaron Summers, Carl Wilkinson, Hugh Skidmore, Jan Graversen, Luke Crang, Richard Hall, Richard Lawson
Scunthorpe 'Fluid Air Power' Scorpions: Anders Mellgren, Ashley Birks, David Howe, Josh Auty, Matt Williamson, Ryan Douglas, Thomas Jorgenson.
Keep in touch with all Redcar Bears news on Facebook and Twitter.
Tapes 7:30pm
Published 2nd April
The South Tees Motor Sports Park opens the Redcar 'Ecco Finishing Supplies' Bears league cup campaign this Thursday 3rd April 7.30pm, against the
Scunthorpe 'Fluid Air Power' Scorpions. After last weeks double rain-off, and two heavy away defeats at Berwick (57-37) and Newcastle (60-29), the team will be hoping for an improvement at home. Scunthorpe surprisingly suffered a defeat at home v Sheffield at the
weekend so are also looking for a win.
Scunthorpe have a familiar side to previous seasons and after winning the Premier league in 2012, the management have decided not to change the line-up to much again and have stuck with five riders from last season and so have added only two new. With no standout number one, the Scorpions have put together a solid team with strength in depth, which, on paper are many people’s favourites again for the league title.
New number 1 signing is Anders Mellgren, a Swede loaned to the Scorpions from parent club Rye House.
Ashley Birks from Yorkshire returns from last season, which ended with a horrific crash and a major operation to pin together a broken back whilst riding at Plymouth.
Also returning another Yorkshire man, Josh Auty. A born racer and crowd favorite. Josh a former British Under-15 Champion, started his premier league career as Bear in 2008.
Thomas Jorgensen returns for a fourth consecutive season for Scunthorpe. Having been voted "rider of the year" twice already, the Scorpions fans are pleased to see the Dane return.
Matt Williamson, a former motorcross rider joins the Scorpions and starts his first season in the premier league, having ridden for Buxton last season.
David Howe returns for his sixth season for Scunthorpe. He often rode at number one and is hoping to collect that race jacket again having suffered an injury-hit season last year, which ended early in August.
(Flying) Ryan Douglas starts his second season. He started slowly last year, but patience in the rider paid dividends as he found form and started to put together some high, often double figure scores in the second half of the season.
Redcar, who suffered a few heavy falls at the weekend, should be unchanged.
Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing Supplies’ Bears (in alphabetical order): Aaron Summers, Carl Wilkinson, Hugh Skidmore, Jan Graversen, Luke Crang, Richard Hall, Richard Lawson
Scunthorpe 'Fluid Air Power' Scorpions: Anders Mellgren, Ashley Birks, David Howe, Josh Auty, Matt Williamson, Ryan Douglas, Thomas Jorgenson.
Keep in touch with all Redcar Bears news on Facebook and Twitter.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/4/27448365/7289167.jpg)
Lawson stars for Lakeside.
Published 2nd April
Redcar Bears number 1, Richard Lawson scored an impressive 10+1 for his Elite Club Lakeside on Wednesday night. Lawson notched 3 second places and a win from his 4 programmed rides, before finishing 3rd in heat 15. In the process, Richard led home fellow Team GB riders Danny King and Ben Barker amongst others.
Richard has been in fine form for both Redcar and Lakeside so far this season, and Bears fans will no doubt be hoping that continues on Thursday night against Scunthorpe.
Published 2nd April
Redcar Bears number 1, Richard Lawson scored an impressive 10+1 for his Elite Club Lakeside on Wednesday night. Lawson notched 3 second places and a win from his 4 programmed rides, before finishing 3rd in heat 15. In the process, Richard led home fellow Team GB riders Danny King and Ben Barker amongst others.
Richard has been in fine form for both Redcar and Lakeside so far this season, and Bears fans will no doubt be hoping that continues on Thursday night against Scunthorpe.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/4/27448365/4054084.jpg)
Newcastle away match report
Published 1st April
Redcar Bears battled both the Newcastle Diamonds and the track in their opening fixture in the League Cup at Brough Park. Unfortunately they came off second best in a tough and bruising encounter against their local rivals. The meeting was delayed by forty five minutes while the Newcastle track staff laboured to make a reasonable racing surface, then to add insult to injury the Bears suffered a string of falls while being placed in good points scoring positions. Firstly Jan Graversen came to grief as he drove under the Diamonds pairing of Schramm and Rose in heat 2, then the unlucky Luke Crang bit the dust in heat 4.The Diamonds opened up with four 5-1 victories in the first five heats, leaving the visitors 23-7 down. Even the normally dependable Richard Lawson was made to work hard for his gritty 10 point performance as he was the only Bears heat winner in the first ten heats. Heat eleven brought a crumb of comfort for the Teessiders when Carl Wilkinson and Lawson manage a 4-2 heat advantage. Wilkinson attacked the heavy conditions and pulled off a round the boards pass to snatch the win from the napping Geordie heat leader Anton Rosen.
Luck deserted Hugh Skidmore when he fell victim to the treacherous fourth bend conditions while leading, gifting the Diamonds a 3-2 in the rerun. Schramm hit Crang on the same bend in the next race and was excluded; however the Bears could not make their numerical advantage count with Kerr heading home Richard Hall and the battered Luke Crang. The final race saw Lawson gate and shut out Lindgren to make the final score 60-29 to the home team. The Bears now wait for Thursday and the opening home meeting against Scunthorpe Scorpions to get some much needed home track advantage after two tough away fixtures.
Report courtesy of Carl Hurry.
Published 1st April
Redcar Bears battled both the Newcastle Diamonds and the track in their opening fixture in the League Cup at Brough Park. Unfortunately they came off second best in a tough and bruising encounter against their local rivals. The meeting was delayed by forty five minutes while the Newcastle track staff laboured to make a reasonable racing surface, then to add insult to injury the Bears suffered a string of falls while being placed in good points scoring positions. Firstly Jan Graversen came to grief as he drove under the Diamonds pairing of Schramm and Rose in heat 2, then the unlucky Luke Crang bit the dust in heat 4.The Diamonds opened up with four 5-1 victories in the first five heats, leaving the visitors 23-7 down. Even the normally dependable Richard Lawson was made to work hard for his gritty 10 point performance as he was the only Bears heat winner in the first ten heats. Heat eleven brought a crumb of comfort for the Teessiders when Carl Wilkinson and Lawson manage a 4-2 heat advantage. Wilkinson attacked the heavy conditions and pulled off a round the boards pass to snatch the win from the napping Geordie heat leader Anton Rosen.
Luck deserted Hugh Skidmore when he fell victim to the treacherous fourth bend conditions while leading, gifting the Diamonds a 3-2 in the rerun. Schramm hit Crang on the same bend in the next race and was excluded; however the Bears could not make their numerical advantage count with Kerr heading home Richard Hall and the battered Luke Crang. The final race saw Lawson gate and shut out Lindgren to make the final score 60-29 to the home team. The Bears now wait for Thursday and the opening home meeting against Scunthorpe Scorpions to get some much needed home track advantage after two tough away fixtures.
Report courtesy of Carl Hurry.