Resilient Redcar battle to victory!

Redcar produced a remarkable win as they batted back from the brink to defeat the Poole Pirates in an enthralling encounter at the Media Prima Arena. The meeting was an exciting affair played out in front of an impressive crowd. 

The meeting started in perfect fashion for the Bears as they hit a 5-1 in the opener as Charles Wright and James Sarjeant combined for a maximum heat advantage. The Pirates bounced back and left the Bears sleeping at the gate as they soared into a 6 point lead after 7 races. Redcar were forced to use their tactical substitute in heat 9 in the form of Charles Wright but that race only yielded a 3-3 which left the Bears scratching their heads. After 10 heats the Bears were staring down the barrel of a damaging home defeat as they were 8 points down with 5 races remaining. The comeback began in earnest in heat 11 as Michael Palm-Toft combined with the improving Anders Rowe to bring Redcar within touching distance of the impressive Pirates. The comeback garnered further momentum in heat 13 as Redcar drew level with a 5-1 courtesy of Wright and Palm-Toft. With the scores level Redcar used Jake Allen as the rider replacement in heat 14 and he responded with a tapes to flag win and with Anders Rowe in third the Bears led by two going into the final heat. The final race was just the tonic after a thrilling evenings speedway for the home crowd as Charles Wright gated and was joined by Jake Allen as he swooped around the outside for a 5-1 to send the rapturous home support away elated. 

Poole’s Steve Worrall was disappointed his side could not complete the job, “At the start of the meeting things looked really positive for us and it looked like we were going to romp home for victory but for whatever reason the meeting turned around in favour of the Bears. I do feel like it was a meeting we could have won. Not to point the finger but Rory (Schlein) and Ben (Cook) had disappointing scores tonight which let us down in the end. We would’ve won the meeting quite easily if Rory and Ben did what they were capable of.”

Captain fantastic Charles Wright was elated with his side’s performance in a big home win, “I never thought it was over, Jade (Mudgway) got the side together and told us the gating was letting us down. Heat 15 was an awesome way to finish the meeting after being 8 points down. Tonight we were under pressure but I have been around the sport and I know how to deal with it. Additionally, the crowd were fantastic for us this evening, they really got behind us and spurred us on to victory and I cannot thank them enough for their support. 

Redcar = 48

1. Charles Wright = 15

2. James Sarjeant = 5+2

3. Jake Allen = 12+3

4. R/R for Jordan Stewart

5. Michael Palm Toft = 7+1

6. Anders Rowe = 7+1

7. Jordan Jenkins = 2+1

Poole = 42

1. Rory Schlein = 3+1

2. Benjamin Basso = 5

3. Steve Worrall = 13

4. Stefan Nielsen = 5

5. Danny King = 10

6. Ben Cook = 1

7. Danyon Hume = 5+1