Berwick Bandits v Redcar Bears

Report

BERWICK narrowly repelled a Redcar comeback to defeat the Bears 46-44 and take their second Cab Direct Championship victory of the season.

Bandits skipper Leon Flint was the hero in Heat 15 as he just got the better of opposite number Charles Wright, as the visitors threatened to force a Super Heat having fought back from 12 points down.

5-1s to Redcar in Heats 13 and 15 put the match back in the balance, but Flint eased the nerves by winning Heat 14 with Connor Coles third to make it 44-40, and although Danny King passed Flint to win the decider, the home rider fought off Wright for the vital second place.

Flint top-scored for the Bandits with 12 points and guest Richie Worrall added nine, whilst Wright (12+1) and King (10+1) led the way for the Bears, who took the aggregate point.

Said Flint: “I’d like to think that the win might ease the pain for Rory (Schlein), Jacob (Hook) and especially TJ (Thomas Jorgensen) who was very much in our thoughts tonight.

“We knew Redcar would come hard in the closing stages and it was a case of gritting our teeth and doing the hard yards.

“I knew that Charles was not too far behind me but there was no way I was going to give up that second place. All seven Bandits had worked far too hard not to bring it home.”

CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP
BERWICK 46: Leon Flint 12, Richie Worrall 9, Justin Sedgmen 7, Jye Etheridge 6+3, Connor Coles 6, Jonas Knudsen 5+1, Luke Killeen 1.
REDCAR 44: Charles Wright 12+1, Danny King 10+1, Erik Riss 9, Jason Edwards 8, Connor Bailey 3+2, Danyon Hume 2, Luke Harrison 0.
Redcar win the aggregate point.

OFFICIAL REFEREE SCORECARD
Available here

Photo credit: NIA MARTIN