King Charles and co ready for battle Royale!
The Redcar “Agilia” Bears make the long trip south to take on one of the Championship new boys, the Kent Kings. Redcar will be looking to pick up an away win in their pursuit of a place in the end-of-season Play-Offs. Due to inclement weather and fixture clashes, the Kings have only had two home meetings so far and will be looking to improve their form drastically after heavy recent defeats at Scunthorpe and Poole respectively.
The Kings are led by British legend Scott Nicholls who is having a fantastic season with Peterborough and Kent, Nicholls is ably supported by Cameron Heeps and Paul Starke in the heat leader berths. Kent continue to operate rider replacement for the recently retired former Bear Tom Bacon. Redcar are led by their inspirational skipper Charles Wright but are missing their reserve pairing of Anders Rowe and Jordan Jenkins due to injury. Bears team manager Jade Mudgway has booked two very exciting and talented guest replacements in the form of Drew Kemp and Jordan Palin.
Redcar co-promoter Jamie Swales is excited ahead of Tuesday’s Central Park clash, “I’m looking forward to the match, it’s a track I’ve never been to before as most of our team haven’t either, Jordan Jenkins and Anders Rowe had, so it’s disappointing they have to miss it through injury. We shouldn’t fear the unknown too much though, with this being Kent’s first season at Championship level they have only managed 2 home meetings themselves so far so they aren’t a great deal more practiced than us yet. I think Jade (Mudgway) has done a great job with getting (Drew) Kemp and (Jordan) Palin in as guests and this is a match that we can really take by the scruff of the neck and get some good league points!”
Interestingly for any Redcar fans attending Central Park or perusing the updates the meeting features three riders who will be part of the British U21 final at Redcar on Friday. Kent Royals starlet Jake Mulford wears the number 8 race jacket whilst the semi-final winner at Redcar Dan Gilkes rides in the reserve berth for the Kings. Finally, Redcar guest Drew Kemp is also riding in Friday’s showpiece final.
Redcar Agilia Bears
1. Charles Wright 9.66 (Captain)
2. James Sarjeant 4.29
3. Jake Allen 7.16
4. Jordan Stewart. 5.48 (Rider Replacement)
5. Michael Palm Toft 7.60
6. Drew Kemp (Guest) 4.23
7. Jordan Palin (Guest) 2*
Kent TouchTec Kings
1. Scott Nicholls 8.34 (Captain)
2. Tom Bacon 5.14 (Rider Replacement)
3. Paul Starke 5.93
4. Paul Hurry 5.72
5. Cameron Heeps 7.23
6. Ben Morley 4.14
7. Dan Gilkes 1 *
8. Jake Mulford