Injury crisis is ‘awful luck’ says Jitendra
REDCAR boss Jitendra Duffill has described the club’s injury crisis as “awful luck and a cruel blow” ahead of the the forthcoming Championship play-offs and Knock-out Cup Final.
The double chasing Agilia Bears limped across the line into the end of year shoot-out despite losing their final two matches at the weekend, as the only two sides who could have ejected them from the top four - Berwick and Sheffield - were also defeated in their final matches of the scheduled season.
But the Teessiders, whose otherwise splendid campaign ended with a third place finish, ahead of Somerset on match points difference, suffered a trio of devastating injuries which mean they will have to go into the decisive stage of the season patched up with guests.
Reserve Tom Woolley crashed during the 46-44 defeat by Glasgow - only the Bears’ second home reverse of the campaign - and suffered a dislocated collarbone, before disaster struck at Newcastle barely 48 hours later.
The Bears lost 49-40 to their nearest rivals and forthcoming cup final opponents but Michael Palm Toft and Nathan Greaves collided alarmingly after the Dane lost control during heat 12.
The race was awarded 5-1 to the Diamonds, which virtually clinched the match at 39-32 with three races to go, but more significant was both Bears being whisked off to hospital with major injuries.
Surveying the casualty list Duffill explained: “We thought Tom had broken his collarbone but it turns out that it’s just dislocated around the joint so it doesn’t need any treatment, just time to heal.
“Michael and Nathan were less fortunate although we feared at first that Nathan, who was left nowhere to go when Michael lost control in front of him, had broken his leg.
“He hasn’t but he suffered sever tissue damage to the lower leg, plus back and pelvic injuries.
“Michael has a fractured vertebra and bruised lungs - he was coughing up blood so will remain in hospital under observation for a few days.”
Team manager Jade Mudgway left
Brough Park crest-fallen over the spate of injuries which threaten to derail the Bears’ push for silverware, adding: “I came away disappointed and very concerned.
“We can get guests for all the injured riders but that’s not the same as Michael or Nathan, especially at home.”
The deflating outcomes of both encounters capped a frustrating week which began with the Media Prima Arena being broken into and vandalised at an estimated cost of over £1,000, including damage and losses.
“The amount keeps rising as almost every container we have was broken into and you don’t always realise what is missing straight away - it’s not until you need to use it that you notice that it’s gone!” explained Duffill.
Glasgow’s victory on Teesside came after the Bears’ big three of Charles Wright, Erik Riss and Palm Toft were unaccustomedly outgunned by opposite numbers Craig Cook, Rasmus Jensen and Claus Vissing, with no Redcar rider winning a race until Wright took heat ten.
“It was a poor performance but I’d rather it happen now than over the next few weeks when it really matters,” pointed out Duffill.
“Both Jade and I were completely deflated on Sunday night.
“There is never a good time to lose riders but coming into the most important part of the season - it’s awful luck and cruel blow.”
Table toppers Leicester are expected to announce who they have chosen to face in the semifinals of the title deciding end of season shoot-out within the next 24 hours.
AGILIA BEARS 44: Charles Wright 15, Michael Palm Toft 8+1, Jordan Stewart 6+4, Kasper Andersen 4+2, Natahn Greaves 4+1, Erik Riss 4, Tom Woolley 3+1.
GLASGOW TIGERS 46: Rasmus Jensen 13+1, Craig Cook 12, Claus Vissing 8, Kyme Bickley 5+1, Connor Bailey 4+1, Sam Jensen 4+1, Mikkel B Andersen 0
NEWCASTLE DIAMONDS 49: Ulrich Ostergaard 15+1, Steve Worrall 14+1, Lasse Bjerre 7+3, |Mtthew Wethes 7+1, Tero Aarnio 4, Danny Phillips 1+1, Max Clegg 1.
AGILIA BEARS 40: Erik Riss 14+1, Charles Wright 10, Nathan Greaves 7, Michael Palm Toft 6, Kasper Andersen 3+1, Jordan Stewart 0, Josh Embleton 0.