Jitendra Duffill has backed guest No 1 Kevin Doolan to make a good job of filling Redcar Bears star Richard Lawson's illustrious boots
Team boss Jitendra Duffill has backed guest No 1 Kevin Doolan to make a good job of filling Redcar Bears star Richard Lawson’s illustrious boots tonight.
Great Britain international Lawson has been in outstanding form since joining the Ecco Finishing Bears over the winter and has scored full maximums in both his home matches for the club so far this season.
But he is forced to miss this evening’s Premier League Cup finale against Sheffield at South Tees Motorsports Park (7.30pm start) because he’s required by Elite League parent club Lakeside Hammers.
Speedway’s regulations allow a guest replacement is such circumstances so the Bears management have snapped up Berwick ace Doolan.
The flying Aussie scored paid 10 in the Bandits’ early season win over Redcar at Shielfield Park and enjoyed a successful spell with the Bears in 2012 after being surprisingly released by Ipswich.
“It’s obviously disappointing that we can’t use Richard,” said Duffill, “because he’s been in exceptional form this season and he’s not been beaten at home this year.
“But you know what you’re going to get with Kevin - he always gives 100% and hopefully he’ll do a good job for us.”
The rest of the Bears team have been in fine form too, although new boy Rafal Konopka is still adjusting to British speedway.
The 21-year-old Pole was handed his chance after Richard Hall was banned for a month for kicking out at Josh Auty in the recent win at Scunthorpe.
He made his debut in last week’s 55-35 derby win over Newcastle and, though he only notched one point from his three rides, Duffill expects his scores to rise.
“He didn’t score a lot of points, but he showed a lot of potential,” said Duffill.
“What let him down most was his gating - he needs to make some starts.
“But let’s not forget this was his first meeting - he’s three or four meetings behind everyone else.
“Once he got out of the start he was on the pace so I’m sure we’ll start to see some improved performances from him.”
Tonight’s match is the second meeting of the two sides in 24 hours, following last night’s clash at Owlerton.
The Bears went into the back-to-back fixtures needing four points to qualify for the semi-finals.
BEARS: Luke Crang, Kevin Doolan Jan Graversen, Rafal Konopka, Hugh Skidmore, Aaron Summers, Carl Wilkinson.
TIGERS: Josh Bates, Andre Compton, Leigh Lanham, Simon Nielsen, Taylor Poole, Adam Roynon, Simon Stead.
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