Speedway: Grieves grins and Bears it

May 18 2007 By Andrew Dalby, The Journal

Redcar's stand-in skipper James Grieves won a tactical ride for double points last night on his least favourite track as the Bears put up a spirited display in their Premier League defeat at the Owlerton Stadium.

Grieves has never been happy about the very fast nature of Sheffield's circuit but he answered the call from Redcar boss Brian Havelock in heat seven to wear the black and white helmet and teamed up with Robbie Kessler to record an 8-1 success over Tigers duo Joel Parsons and James Cockle. Chris Kerr made a fine return to action scoring nine points only a fortnight after his frightening crash in a home meeting that badly cut his left eye, and the Bears have an excellent chance of taking the aggregate point as well as a home victory this evening when the sides meet again at South Tees (7.30pm).

Redcar's guest tonight is Workington's Carl Stonehewer who began this year's comeback when he rode at Redcar just before Easter in Kevin Little's farewell meeting.

Sheffield: Ricky Ashworth 8; James Birkinshaw 5; Andre Compton 13; Ben Wilson 6; Joel Parsons 7; James Cockle 4; Paul Cooper 9.

REDCAR: Magnus Karlsson (guest) 7; Daniel Giffard 1; James Grieves 13; Robie Kessler 9; Chris Kerr 9; Mark Thompson (guest) 2; Rusty Hodgson 0.