BERWICK’S speedway Bandits, sponsored by A & J Scott Ltd of Wooperton, remain unbeaten in all home matches this season - a run of eight victories – and despite the Berwick team currently sitting third in the Premier League table, the visit of Scunthorpe Scorpions on Saturday be their stiffest test yet.
“Scunthorpe are a very, very solid squad,” said Borders chief John Anderson last night.
“They have Josh Auty, who is one of Britain’s fastest-rising young stars, and have even drafted in the Edinburgh captain Matty Wethers as an all-star guest rider.
“In addition we will be seeing a lad called Tom Armstrong, who is a highly-rated Australian rider we haven’t had here before – all in all, these Scorpions could give us a nasty stinging.”
Bandits will be without French teenager David Bellego on Saturday, as he continues to pursue his dream of being World U-21 Champion.
“This is his semi-final,” observed Berwick team manger Ian Rae. “A finish in the top eight could see him through to the Final – but by golly, he’s got a tough task to get there.”
As the border Bandits will be operating the rider-replacement regulation to cover David Bellego’s programmed heats, Tweedmouth’s 16-year-old Liam Carr will be added to the squad, with a possibility of getting a race or two, should the situation allow.
After the Premier League match, a visiting team of young riders from Coventry will be strutting their stuff on a first visit to Shielfield Park.
Team line-ups for Saturday
BERWICK: 1, Ricky Ashworth (England); 2, Lubos Tomicek (Czech Republic); 3, Lee Complin (Captain, England); 4, rider-replacement for David Bellego (France); 5, Seb Alden (Sweden); 6, Alex Edberg (Sweden); 7, Jason King (England); 8, Liam Carr (England).
SCUNTHORPE: 1, rider-replacement for David Howe (England); 2, Matty Wethers (Australia – guest); 3, Tero Aarnio (Finland); 4, Tom Armstrong (Australia); 5, Josh Auty (England); 6, Michael Palm Toft (Denmark); 7, Ashley Birks (England).