Double delight as Bears run red hot
REDCAR BEARS 51 LEICESTER LIONS 39
JORDAN Jenkins came of age to spearhead a powerhouse performance from Redcar, which led to a comprehensive Jubilee League victory over Championship leaders Leicester.
The East Anglian turns 21 on August 2 and has frequently threatened to become the Agilia Bears’ ‘fourth heat-leader’ but his 12, paid 13-point haul, highlighted by one of the most exhilarating rides of the season in the last race, signalled his unquestionable arrival as a true force at this level.
Gavin Parr was able to smile and soak up the victory, as his debut as senior team manager ended in a comfortable success.
The former rider and junior Cubs team boss inferred that the Bears on this form managed themselves.
He said: “The atmosphere among all the riders is absolutely first-class – everybody helps each other from the heat-leaders down to the reserves. It’s a seven man team and all seven are working for each other – it’s absolutely brilliant.
“The way Jordan rode fully justified heat 15 (inclusion in the nominated riders race) – he was there on absolute merit and came up with the goods over the last couple of laps, as he had done all night.
“I’ve had a great time and been lucky because, while I’ve been manager, we’ve had two great wins but as long as they keep getting together and chatting, it’s easy work.”
Jenkins, who had already forced his way through from last place to join Erik Riss for a crucial 5-1 in heat 12, again trailed as all four riders were separated by a bike’s length coming round the second lap.
But the Bears reserve persisted and eventually squeezed between the Lions pairing to snatch an enthralling second place from Nick Morris on the run to the line. AGILIA BEARS 51 (Jordan Jenkins 12+1, Erik Riss 10, Lewis kerr 8, Charles Wright 7=3, Jason Edwards 7+1,
Kasper Andersen 5, Kyle Bickley 2+1) LEICESTER LIONS 39 (Kyle Howarth 12, Nick Morris 11+1, Connor Mountain 9+1, Richie Worrall 5+1, Max Clegg 1, Joe Thompson 1, Rider Replacement for Dan Thompson)
BERWICK BANDITS 34
REDCAR BEARS 56
ERIC Riss scored a four-ride maximum while Kasper Andersen returned to form as Redcar roared into the semifinals of the Knock-out Cup with a second superb display in 24 hours.
The Bears, already boasting a 12-point first leg lead, pretty much confirmed their place in the last four, where they will meet Edinburgh, with heat advantages in the opening four races at Sheilfield Park, which opened a 19-5 lead.
Injury weakened Berwick briefly rallied to
The atmosphere among all the riders is absolutely first-class – everybody helps each
other.
Gavin Parr
pull the deficit back to eight points by heat eight but back-to-back Bears’ 5-1s sealed the 2019 cup winners’ comfortable victory and progression with four races to spare.
Riss rattled off four untroubled wins for 12 points, while hitherto struggling Andersen returned to his 2021 home track and excelled with paid 13 as all but one Redcar rider managed to take the chequered flag at least once.
Charles Wright dropped just one point, to American international Ricky Wells in heat five.
BERWICK BANDITS 34 (Ricky Wells 10+2, Aaron Summers (guest) 7, Chris Harris 6, Jonas Knudsen 5+1, Theo Pijper 5, Nathan Stoneman 1, Rider Replacement for Leon Flint)
AGILIA BEARS 56 (Erik Riss 12, Kasper Andersen 11+2, Charles Wright 11, Lewis Kerr 8+1, Jason Edwards
5+2, Jordan Jenkins 5, Kyle Bickley 4)
Bears win on aggregate 107-73