Redcar SG Petch Bears v Berwick Bandits – Thursday 3rd August – 7:30pm
Redcar SG Petch Bears will aim to build on last weeks victory against Workington, as they take on the Berwick Bandits at the Media Prima Arena this Thursday (7:30pm).
The Bears ran out 49-44 winners last Thursday, and whilst manager Jitendra Duffill was pleased with the victory but slightly disappointed Workington escaped with a league point:
I was pleased with last weeks performance against Workington and we deserved the 3 points we took from the meeting. Again we saw a good, all round performance from our boys. It was disappointing to ‘gift’ them a point as I feel that we should have send them home empty handed. Ours boys were a little too keen at times and I spoke with them after about picking their moments to pass. Exclusions could have proved costly in the end and we should have won by a bigger margin. Having said that, I will never give out boys a hard time about trying too hard as I would rather they do that than ride around at the back waiting for somebody to make a mistake.
Duffill was also pleased with the form of Jason Garrity and Tobias Busch. Both riders have had long spells out of the side with injury this season, but they both rode well on Thursday. And whilst delighted with their performances, is keen to not too much pressure on the pair:
It was great to see Jason Garrity back to his old self. He was the Jason we saw before his injury and it was only a matter of time before he regained form. He’s a bubbly character and we saw a different person off track as well as on it. He can put a bit too much pressure on himself at times and I’d asked him to try and enjoy racing his bike without thinking too much about the politics surrounding it. Tobias Busch was excellent and he showed just why we were so keen to bring him back into the side. His speed and track craft were even more impressive if you take into consideration that he still isn’t 100% fit and is clearly in some discomfort after races. I don’t want to put him under too much pressure and I won’t ask him to do extra rides until he tells me he is ready for it. We need to be patient and let him regain fitness before I can use him more but it will be worth the wait.
This week sees Berwick Bandits come to town. The Bandits have had a difficult season, and are again struck by injury problems. New signing Nikolai Busk Jacobsen injured his shoulder in his first meeting for the Bandits and is not unfortunately out for the remainder of the season. Berwick will operate rider replacement for him. Nick Morris is also missing as he is riding for Swindon, a guest will be brought in for him (tbc). Despite the ill-fortune of the Bandits, Duffill is not taking anything for granted:
This week we welcome the Berwick Bandits and my good friend Gary Havelock back to the Media Prima Arena. Berwick haven’t had the best of times so far in this years SGB Championship but they are a different side to the one that started 2017 and they made life difficult for us last time we met. You can never underestimate anybody because you can end up looking very foolish if you do. We really need to take another 3 points from this fixture and we can’t afford any more slip up’s at home.
Redcar: Jason Garrity, Ellis Perks, Ben Barker, Jonas B Andersen, Charles Wright, Tobias Busch, Danny Ayres
Berwick: Guest tbc, r/r for Nicolai Busk Jacobsen, Dany Gappmaier, Kevin Doolan, David Howe, Jye Etheridge, Jack Parkinson-Blackburn
