In-form JJ ready for Redcar return

Jordan Jenkins returns to Redcar tonight looking to put the R.E.D Bandits, powered by STS in the driving seat as they bid to reach their second final lead his new side towards their second final of a golden campaign.

And the 24-year-old arrives for the BSN Series semi-final first leg on the back of a paid 11 Premiership return for King’s Lynn in last night’s derby win over Ipswich. Team-mate Nick Morris was also among the points, 7+1 for Leicester against Northampton, although his evening ended with a fall while chasing the field.

Jenkins began the season in Redcar colours but was released after eight meetings and replaced by Simon Lambert.

Berwick pounced to sign the Norwich-born battler, initially on a short-term contract to replace the injured Reid Battye, and have been rewarded with 40 points from just four outings, including a starring role in their defeat of Poole to reach the Knockout Cup Final.

He signed full-time for the Bandits this week, the Borders’ side releasing Norwegian Lasse Fredriksen to accommodate Jenkins.

With Battye returning from back and chest injuries at the Ecco Arena tonight, Berwick are looking to build on their fine early season form against a Redcar side which is beginning to string some good results in Cleveland after a shaky start to their Championship campaign.

They have moved to dampen gossip that talisman Charles Wright was on the brink of a return from a shoulder injury and that tonight would be the last appearance of Nikolai Klindt.

The Dane fanned the flames with a social media post but a statement from Redcar this week said that, in the short-term at least, Wright would be easing back into action in the Polish leagues before any British return.

As always Berwick team manager Stewart Dickson sounded a note of realism as Bandits fans prepared to make the trip to Cleveland tonight in numbers.

“We thoroughly deserved to beat Poole and reach the cup final but that was last week. We start again on Friday night,” the Scot said.

“We’ll approach Redcar in the same way we did Poole. Concentrate fully, apply ourselves and do our jobs for the 15 heats.”

If you can’t get to cleveland tonight the Bears are streaming the meeting live. Buy stream

Bears: Nikolai Klindt, Simon Lambert, Jake Mulford, Jason Edwards, Jake Allen, Ace Pijper, Jody Scott

Bandits: Peter Kildemand, Jye Etheridge, Victor Palovaara, Jordan Jenkins, Nick Morris, Jack Smith, Reid Battye

Tickets for the Cab Direct Championship clash with Oxford at Shielfield Park tomorrow night are on sale here You can also pay cash on the gate tomorrow night.