Clash of North East titans

Mar 27 2011 Sunday Sun

NEWCASTLE Diamonds race headlong into local derby action this evening at Brough Park when fierce rivals, the Redcar Bears are in town for a pre-season so-called “friendly” come 6.30pm, writes LAWRENCE HEPPELL.

The result may count for nothing in terms of league points, but with the intense rivalry experienced between these two North East sides, a win is far more important as the first stakes for 2011 bragging rights are up for grabs.

To be fair the Bears pose a stronger threat to Tyneside joy and harmony than in 2010 with a much tougher line up.

The Bears team is a blend of experience and youth in former World Champion Gary Havelock, back to lead the team in his sixth successive season on Teesside.

He is joined at the top by Aussie Jason Lyons who first rode in this country for Glasgow in 1990 and has massive experience round Newcastle, having skippered them for a while not so long ago. Young Dane Peter Juul returns to Teesside after a popular spell with the Bears last year and they carry good reserve strength which includes GB squad member Adam Roynon.

The Diamonds, fresh from success at Edinburgh on Friday are bursting to extend their currently unbeaten season.

NEWCASTLE “SAPPHIRE ENGINEERING” DIAMONDS: 1. Rene Bach, 2. Derek Sneddon (Captain), 3. Lubos Tomicek, 4. Stuart Robson, 5. Mark Lemon, 6. Kyle Newman, 7. Ritchie Worrall

REDCAR BEARS: 1. Jason Lyons, 2. Peter Juul, 3. Aaron Summer, 4. Matej Kus, 5. Gary Havelock (Captain), 6. Adam Roynon, 7. Robert Branford