Yearbyred

Well I enjoyed it as a neutral. Close meeting, some decent races and a few talking points. Congratulations to the Aces.

Congratulations to Poole, obviously worthy winners. Didn’t pay for the stream but a decent effort by the team without Charles.

Kye Thomson guests in place of Charles

I used the word potential advisedly. Well done to the Pirates, deserved winners. Ben Cook absolutely fantastic and too many Bears off the pace. Still an enjoyable meeting and some good racing.

Meaningless!! How dare you! Potential fight back starts here….

Easily Pooles most impressive rider tonight. Been excellent.

Fantastic second bend by both Cook boys there. Really poor from the Bears second strings so far.

I think it was the first bend, at least that’s what his finger gesture seemed to suggest. Didn’t see anything naughty from the back straight to be honest.

Edwards/Jenkins really struggling, needed them to find mid season form. Ben Cook mightily impressive so far. Edit: Add Kasper to the list.

Everyone likes the track.

I’m pretty sure they will enjoy it, track will no doubt be well prepared and produce a good meeting. Realistically the Bears are up against it, even at home, but if all the Bears 1-7 ride well ( that hasn’t happened very often) then hopefully they can put up a good show. Given the amount of guests used this year it’s nice to see full 1-7’s for each team. Just getting my big coat ready for tonight.

No more rain forecast and track looks in good condition at the moment on the press release (better than the spelling anyway).

Rain supposed to stop after lunch but I don’t think there will be much dust tonight, if it’s on. Cold too. The Aussies won’t like it. Hopefully….

Congratulations to the Monarchs for progressing, but that was a good effort from the Bears tonight. As expected, too much to pull back after last nights poor display. With a full team, or more choice of guests, I think it would have been much closer. Hopefully the Bears can get everyone back for the KOC final.

Flint in as guest for Kerr.

Tie is effectively over after tonight’s match. Edinburgh totally out gated the Bears and most races could have been awarded after the first lap. Was an awful watch as a Bears fan. Bears will struggle again tomorrow given the injuries and lack of suitable guests.

To be honest I think I’d enjoy it more if mine was pitch black. Terrible meeting to watch as a neutral I’d imagine as we’ve had 1 pass so far all night, but as a Bears fan it’s painful to see.

That reminds me, Gone fishing is on at 9pm tonight. Hopefully they are as successful as NYB!

Edwards still out so R/R confirmed on Redcar press release. Need Spud to have a decent to keep it close I think.

The second meeting between these 2 in the last few weeks (if the weather holds). Edinburgh press release says that Erik Riss makes his return but then just read on Eriks FB page that he just discovered he tore his ACL and needs to get that fixed so I assume its a guest (not many choices) and possible R/R for Jason Edwards. Not ideal for the Bears.

Second leg on Sunday now off too.

Summers confirmed as guest. Last time I checked the weather forecast didn’t look too promising?

He is, and was very good tonight. The post I quoted said it strengthened the Bears a good bit and my point was it didn’t - more like for like in my opinion having watched Riss a lot around Redcar. Excellent team performance, probably the best of the season. Charlie back to much better form and the 2 reserves scored really well. Kyle was really good tonight. The change in line up helped the Bears tonight. Sam had a really poor night by his high standards and it was only the ever entertaining Pickering who was consistent for the Monarchs. Another KO cup final. Bears will be underdogs obviously but a good achievement just to get there.

Riss is excellent around Redcar when fit, so although Lawson is a good guest I don’t think it strengthens us. Hopefully Charles and Jordan are fit enough to race and not just ride.

Could easily say that about most Bears home performances this season, so it applies to both teams I think.