Boro Bears warm up for Hull.

The Middlesbrough Bears warm-up for the their forthcoming season of youth development and junior challenge matches with a friendly against the Hull Angels at Craven Park on Wednesday, 21 April.

And the Scott Bros. Bears have pulled off something of a coup by including speedway's most wanted man. York-based 21-year old Paul Cooper, the current 350cc British Grasstrack Champion, has confirmed he will be making a rare speedway appearance.

Cooper, who wants to concentrate on grasstrack and longtrack racing in 2004, made headlines in the first meeting of the season in the Carlos Villar Benefit staged at Berwick's Shielfield Park. He claimed the scalps of former world champion Gary Havelock, James Grieves and home stars David Meldrum & Simon Cartwright. This is a chance for Hull fans to witness one of the most sought after youngsters in the sport.

Also riding for the Scott Bros. Bears will be the Cumbrian-based reigning Humber League Riders' champion Jonathan Bethell and John Branney, who is the younger brother of Craig and currently riding for the Newcastle Gems in the Conference League. Completing the line-up is Teesside-based teenager Ashley Johnson who is making a comeback from a life threatening injury.

Just under a year ago the youngster was in a coma following a blow to the head after crashing out at a Michael Lee training school at Mildenhall. Thankfully Ashley has made a full recovery and was given the all-clear to ride again in November by specialists at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. Ashley has been having second half rides at Hull and Newcastle and is looking forward to riding for his hometown team.

The match will consist of six heats and two four man teams which will take place immediately following the Hull v Berwick Premier Trophy meeting.