MIDDLESBROUGH Bears speedway team will be riding at Hull's Craven Park throughout the 2003 season. A deal has been arranged for a four-man junior team to co-exist in a league featuring two teams from Hull and one from Scunthorpe.

The teams will race each other over six heats, twice in a knockout cup competition and the top two will face each other in the final.

The deal has been arranged between the new Hull promoter Nigel Wordsworth and the Hartburn Garage-sponsored Bears boss and press officer Steve Harland. Wordsworth contacted Harland over the winter after logging on to the Cleveland Parklife website and says he was impressed with the enthusiasm shown.

He wrote an e-mail offering help and advice, an offer which was taken, explains Harland.

"I offered to take a Middlesbrough junior team down there and Nigel suggested he could possibly give us more than one match, " said Steve.

"Wordsworth couldn't promise but said he would do his best to help and that has become a reality.

"The rest is up to the fans now, whether they want to come and see us ride, but it gives them a chance to support a Middlesbrough team once again."

The Bears first match against one of the Hull sides is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, April 2, following the main match. Hull's practice day takes place on Wednesday, March 19 at 3pm in which all Bears riders will be attending.

Bears team

1. Steve Jones (captain) 21-year-old, Wallsend

2. Scott Nettleship 18-year, Wallsend

3. Chris Hunter 18-year-old, Stockton

4. Jonathan Bethell 29-year-old, Kendal

Team manager Henry Atkinson

* www.intheteam.com/clevelandparklif