Redcar Bears v Poole Pirates

Report

REDCAR secured a narrow two-point advantage over holders Poole at the halfway stage of the BSN Series Final with a 46-44 first leg win at the ECCO Arena.

The Bears moved 30-24 ahead on the night after nine races with a 5-1 from Jason Edwards and guest Leon Flint, but the Pirates hit back with two 4-2s in the next three races, both won by Lewis Kerr.

There was no further progress from either side despite home skipper Charles Wright winning both Heats 13 and 15, whilst Poole captain Zach Cook took the flag in Heat 14.

Wright top-scored for the Bears with 12+1 from five rides whilst Cook scored 11 from five for the visitors, who will stage the second leg at Wimborne Road on Wednesday.

Cook said: “The boys showed a bit of grit tonight. Hard as it was to put last night’s (Friday) achievements behind us, we knew we needed to focus.

“It was a busy night in the pits as we had a few too many mechanical issues as a side, but I think we can be happy with a two-point loss. I really think it is ours for the taking now.

“We’ve been going well at home so there is no reason why we can’t lift the third part of the Treble.”

BSN SERIES FINAL 1st leg
REDCAR 46: Charles Wright 12+1, Danny King 8, Jason Edwards 7+1, Jake Mulford 6+2, Leon Flint 5+1, Ace Pijper 4+1, Jody Scott 4.
POOLE 44: Zach Cook 11, Lewis Kerr 9+2, Anders Rowe 8, Richard Lawson 7+2, Will Cairns 4, Paul Starke 3, Tobias Thomsen 2+2.

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Photo credit: COLIN POOLE