Redcar Bears go into their back-to-back battles with Sheffield Tigers needing four points to qualify for the Premier League Cup semi-finals
Trophy-hunting Redcar Bears go into their back-to-back battles with Sheffield Tigers needing four points to qualify for the Premier League Cup semi-finals.
But team manager Jitendra Duffill is aiming even higher and is targeting wins in both meetings.
The Ecco Finishing Bears head to South Yorkshire tonight (7.45pm start) for their final away match of the League Cup campaign before completing their Northern Group fixtures with a home clash against the same oponents tomorrow (7.30pm start).
They currently lead the mini-league table with 10 points, ahead of Newcastle and Sheffield on six and Scunthorpe on four. All teams have ridden four matches.
“Four points from these two meetings will give us a semi-final place,” said Duffill, whose side beat Newcastle 55-35 last time out, “so that’s what we will be setting out to achieve.
“The team spirit in the camp is good and I’m looking forward to it.
“Sheffield have already lost at home to Scunthorpe, who we beat home and away, so that is something to take on board and we know we can go there and do a job.
“We are aiming to win both meetings and we certainly believe we are capable of doing that.”
The Tigers, now managed by former British champion and Grand Prix star Joe Screen, will be looking to bounce back from a 63-27 mauling at Newcastle last Sunday.
They have a strong spearhead in fit-again Simon Stead while former Bear Adam Roynon is capable of some big scores and veteran former PLRC winner Andre Compton is a more than handy reserve.
Duffill, however, is more than happy with his own No 1, Richard Lawson, and the rest of the team.
“What has pleased me is that we have been scoring points right the way through the order,” he said.
“Richard has been absolutely fantastic.
“He’s been unbeatable at home and has two full maximums to his name already.
“I really think he could be the star of the Premier League this season.”
In between the two meetings, members of the Bears team will be visiting the children’s unit at James Cook Hospital tomorrow to give out Easter eggs and gifts to young patients.
BEARS: Luke Crang, Jan Graversen, Rafal Konopka, Richard Lawson, Hugh Skidmore, Aaron Summers, Carl Wilkinson.
TIGERS: Josh Bates, Andre Compton, Leigh Lanham, Simon Nielsen, Taylor Poole, Adam Roynon, Simon Stead.
Former Bears track curator Ian Wilson, who also brought in a good deal of sponsorship money to the club, has died.
Bears No 1 Richard Lawson will not now miss the club’s Premier League opener against Glasgow next Thursday.
He was due to be riding in the British Semi-final at Sheffield that night but the draw has been revised and he now joins team-mate Carl Wilkinson in the other half of the draw at Rye House the following Wednesday.
See tomorrow’s Gazette for a preview of the Bears’ home match against Sheffield.
For a report and reaction from this evening’s meeting at Owlerton go online and visit <a href = 'http://ift.tt/1md60Qe'>http://ift.tt/1k2TrcJ;
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