Full strength for Friday

Your R.E.D Bandits, powered by STS are at full strength for Friday’s key Cab Direct Championship clash at Redcar.

Nick Morris continues to clock up the competitive laps, making his Premiership return on Monday as Sheffield won 59-31 at one of his former clubs, Birmingham.

Racing at number three, Nick made a steady start before teaming up with Leon Flint for a 5-1 in his last ride, finishing the evening with 6+3; Flint scoring his second top league maximum of the season.

Redcar have yet to confirm whether they will be operating rider-replacement or booking a guest in the continued absence through illness of Erik Riss, although with Edinburgh, Scunthorpe, Glasgow and Workington also in action on Friday their options are limited.

Green sheet averages which came into effect last Friday saw teenage reserve Jody Scott move into the main body of the team after some impressive performances since replacing Tom Spencer earlier in the season.

He swapped positions with Jake Mulford but the reserve missed last week’s defeat by Glasgow at the Ecco Arena as he was competing in the SGP2 Series in Latvia.

Mulford was a key man when the sides met in the MAXICab KO Cup in May, scoring paid 15 over the two legs as the Bears won 96-84 on aggregate.

Jack Smith’s seven-point haul made him joint second top scorer, with Peter Kildemand, for the Bandits as they lost the second leg 37-53 and following his battling performance against Oxford, the reserve will be looking to get among the points again.

Happier memories for the Bandits is their 47-43 the last time the teams met in the league, skipper Drew Kemp leading the way with 11 points in May 2024, our last away victory as it happens.

Also on the line is the aggregate point with Berwick taking a six-point cushion into the fixture.

Redcar are one of a handful of side scrapping for what is increasingly becoming the fourth and final play-off spot at Poole, Glasgow and surprise packets Edinburgh open up a gap on the chasing pack.

They have meetings in hand on most of their rivals who they also meet over the closing stages of the season but that home defeat by the Tigers hurt their chances.

Redcar are at Oxford on Wednesday night, Flint guesting for them in front of the BSN cameras. Saturday teams to follow.

Bears: Charles Wright, Jody Scott, Jason Edwards, Guest or R/R, Danny King, Jake Mulford, Ace Pijper

Bandits: Nick Morris, Sam Hagon, Jonas Jeppesen, Drew Kemp, Peter Kildemand, Dayle Wood, Jack Smith