Glasgow Tigers v Redcar Bears

GLASGOW overcame Redcar 48-42 in a last heat decider at Ashfield as the Bears missed a big opportunity put pressure on the Cab Direct Championship’s top four.

The visitors, who still realistically need two away wins to move into contention, looked set to get one of them in Scotland as they led by eight points at the halfway stage.

But the Tigers stormed back in a pulsating contest with Leon Flint in outstanding form to take a win which keeps them second in the table.

Flint won his first five rides, and although he was finally defeated in Heat 15 to end with a 16-point haul, skipper Chris Harris (12+2) won the race ahead of Charles Wright as the home side clinched victory. Jody Scott and Ace Pijper both scored 9+2 for the visitors.

Glasgow manager Cami Brown said: “This is a massive win for us over a very tough Redcar side. They always ride Ashfield really well, so we knew we were in for a really hard meeting.

“It did look like we had left ourselves a lot to do. When we went eight points down for a second time, we had a team meeting and knew we had to step it up. Our season probably rested on the outcome of the final four heats.

“We left it very late again and that’s the third successive meeting we’ve done that. It was a breathtaking finale and not great for the blood pressure, it was great entertainment, great racing and a wonderful finish.

“But ultimately, we have to improve. We can’t be that sluggish and weak in certain areas.”

CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP
GLASGOW 48: Leon Flint 16, Chris Harris 12+2, Nick Morris 9, Kevin Juhl Pedersen 5, Reid Battye 4+1, Freddy Hodder 2, Sam Hagon 0
REDCAR 42: Jody Scott 9+2, Ace Pijper 9+2, Charles Wright 9, Jake Mulford 5+1, Jason Edwards 5, Jake Allen 4+2, Simon Lambert 1

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Photo credit: IAN ADAM