Bears look westwards

Redcar had looked to the south-west for reinforcements as they prepare to take on the Jewson Bandits this weekend.

Former Bandit Ben Barker guests in place of the injured Danny King both at the Ecco Arena on Friday night and at Shielfield Park 24 hours later.

On Saturday he is joined by in-form young Brit Dan Thompson who stands-in for another ex-Bandit, Jonas Knudsen, who misses a return to his old home track due to commitments with Pila in a Polish League meeting.

Neither are strangers to Shielfield Park with Barker enjoying a brief spell as our number one in addition to visiting with, Glasgow, Newcastle and Plymouth among others.

Thompson has visited with Leicester at both National League and Championship level, including a 2022 maximum and three 12-point returns. Having previously struggled to hold down team berths in the higher leagues Thompson, who turned 20 two weeks ago, has seen the points flow in 2024 both for the Gladiators and in the Premiership with Ipswich. Indeed his form in the top league has been so good that, having started as a reserve Rising Star, he was promoted into the team proper after the season’s first set of averages.

Both will be doing a scouting mission with the Gladiators following the Bears to the Borders (18 May).

Tickets for Saturday’s clash are on sale now and, until midnight on Friday, cost £18 including booking fee. Matchday admission by e-ticket or cash only is £20 (concessions and students £18). Buy tickets

Bears: Charles Wright, Jonas Knudsen (Saturday Dan Thompson), Connor Bailey, Jason Edwards, Ben Barker, Jake Mulford, Ben Trigger

Bandits: Friday Tom Brennan, Saturday Richard Lawson, Danyon Hume, Jye Etheridge, Drew Kemp, Rory Schlein, Freddy Hodder, Bastian Borke.

Referee: Chris Gay (both days)