Awayday points boost for the Bears.

Byline: MARTIN NEAL 

UNDER-STRENGTH Redcar Bears came away with a point from each of their weekend matches at Rye House and Newport.

But boss Brian Havelock was left wondering how much more they could have achieved had Robbie Kessler not been forced to miss out due to torn neck ligaments sustained in a crash during Thursday's KO Cup tie with Scunthorpe.

In his absence, the Bears were pipped 49-44 at Rye House on Saturday night before snatching a point at Newport yesterday thanks to a last heat 5-1 which limited the Wasps' victory to 49-43.

But NEBT/Simpson Racing UK Bears promoter and manager Havelock said: "Being without Robbie definitely held us back. Ben Wilson was the only rider from the main body of the team who could take one his rides, so it was bound to have an effect."

The Bears had already won at Newport in the KO Cup this year and were looking for more of the same - especially after being buoyed by the previous night's point at the tight and tricky home of the Rockets, a notoriously difficult place for visiting teams.

But the Wasps' team changes since then have boosted their scoring power and former Bear Chris Kerr continued his outstanding form since dropping to reserve with a paid 13 return.

The hosts twice opened a 10-point lead Ben Wilson's four-point return in the black and white helmet colour helping to reduce it - and that's how it stood going into the final race.

The Bears' hopes of taking a point were boosted when Jordan Frampton fell and was disqualified from the re-run.

Ben Wilson led away from the tapes but Ty Proctor brought huge cheers from the visiting fans when he roared past Leigh Lanham coming out of the final bend to get a paid win and, with it, the 5-1 Redcar needed to snatch a point.

"Newport have strengthened since we were last there," said Havelock, "and it looked like we'd need a miracle to get a point - but we did it."

At Rye House the Bears stuck with their hosts all night as skipper Gary Havelock notched up a brilliant 17-point total - including a win in black and white when the Rockets threatened to pull away.

They needed a 4-2 in the final race to grab a point and, after Linus Sundstrom, unbeaten by an opponent at that stage, fell and was kicked out of the restart - Havelock recorded his fourth win of the night. Proctor chased Chris Neath all race and, even though he couldn't pass him, it was enough to ensure the Bears didn't go home empty-handed.

Stuart Swales again produced some more than useful points at No 7 in both meetings, as did fellow reserve Arlo Bugeja at Rye House though he couldn't follow it up at Newport, but Carl Stonehewer's form was again a worry. WASPS: Chris Kerr 12+1, Jordan Frampton 12, Leigh Lanham 9, Jonas Andersson 5+2, James Holder 5+1, Paul Fry 3, Kyle Newman 3. BEARS: Ben Wilson 14+2, Ty Proctor 11, Gary Havelock 8, Stuart Swales 6+1, Carl Stonehewer 2, Arlo Bugeja 2, R/ R for Robbie Kessler. ROCKETS: Linus Sundstrom 11+1, Chris Neath 10+1, Tommy Allen 8, Andrew Silver 7+2, Joe Haines 7+1, Luke Bowen 3+1, Robert Mear 3. BEARS: Havelock 17, Proctor 8+1, Wilson 6, Bugeja 5+2, Swales 5+2, Stonehewer 3, R/R for Kessler.