Andersons Quality Butchers Berwick Bandits 52

Buildbase Glasgow Tigers 44

 (Premier Trophy)

The Berwick Bandits finally struck gold with a home win over Glasgow on Saturday night, indeed their first home win since mid summer 2007!

It was all on the last heat, and it was left to the two Czechs to bring home the spoils, welcomed to the finish line by the strains of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus such was the overwhelming relief to finally get a home win again.

A solid start certainly helped the Bandits grabbing three maximum 5-1s in the opening seven races and despite Glasgow finally finding their feet in the latter half, including two successful tactical six points from the Tigers before Heat 13, hauling their deficit back and forcing a thrilling last heat decider.

It was also Henning Bager’s debut, but thanks to blown engines and mechanical gremlins his scoring was drastically reduced meaning the victory had been taken by the previous weeks big hitters, but what force will the Bandits be when Bager fires on all cylinders?

HEAT ONE – Brady, fresh back from injury made a typical Brady gate to lead well on bend one, but due to him not being match fit, dropped back to last in that opening lap. Parker has had a difficult winter with health and it seemed like it was taking its toll as he looked a shadow of his former self in this race. (5-1 / 5-1)

HEAT TWO – Magosi’s great form continued here with a superb gate to lead, but McKinna got bogged down in traffic on a busy opening bend to end up at the back of a well spread race. (3-3 / 8-4)

HEAT THREE – The opening lap of the third heat was an excellent display of close-up speedway as Aarnio and Leverington battled hard, elbow to elbow throughout with the Tiger easing ahead after this mammoth struggle coming off bend four. Bager made a good gate but was left trailing in the second bend in 3^rd place on a sick machine. (3-3 / 11-7)

HEAT FOUR – saw Makovsky leap from the gate to lead well on bend one, but again behind McKinna, whilst looking to have made a decent start got boxed and balked on bend one to end up at the back again. The young Scot put in a good effort on laps three and four to have a go at Dicken from behind but the effort required was just too great this time. (3-3 / 14-10)

HEAT FIVE – needed a second start as Brady jumped well and truly at the gate, but just as the red lights were switched on, Bager’s machine blew. The referee decreeing that the race was stopped before Bager’s engine problems allowing the new boy into the re run as he was still under power at the time of the stoppage. So out on Makovsky’s bike Bager came out but retired half way through the race that had seen Brady again leap from the start but passed by Aarnio on bend two with Parker looking well out of sorts again at the rear. (3-3 / 17-13)

HEAT SIX – Both Magosi and Rymel hit the front together on bends one and two to seal another maximum Berwick heat as Aussie Grajczonek took a very wide line on bend four, but kept upright and on board. (5-1 / 22-14)

HEAT SEVEN – and another max put the Bandits firmly in the driving seat as Makovsky took control on bend one with Magosi joining him round the outside of bend two.  (5-1 / 27-15)

HEAT EIGHT – kicked off with a good old-fashioned exchange of elbows from Makovsky and Dicken on bend one as McKinna again drifted to the back. Makovsky won the battle and eased ahead to take a big victory. (3-3 / 30-18)

HEAT NINE – Glasgow nominated Ksiezak as a tactical ride in the ninth as Bager came out on the Rymel machine. Ksiezak gated but was passed by Aarnio only for the Tiger to regain his 6 point position on the third lap with Grajczonek putting up a great battle with Aarnio behind. (3-6 / 33-24)

HEAT 10 – both the home riders took a great gate here taking spots one and two on bend one before Leverington too the outside line grip to shoot past the Finn on bend two and take up the chase on Rymel who held his lead to the end. (4-2 / 37-26)

HEAT 11 – saw Parker’s hidden brilliance jut out in front at last as the old form returned with vengeance as he engaged in a tough battle with Makovsky early on before the Tigers’ skipper too the lead once and for all for the win and the Tigers were two points closer again. (2-4 / 39-30)

HEAT 12 – gave the Tigers the chance to go for another double pointer with Parker coming in for Grajczonek on a 15m handicap.  The Tiger on a mission passed McKinna on bend one, and then Bager as well on the second bend of the second lap, being allowed the win for maximum effect by Leverington on the run to the flag.  (1-8 / 40-38)

HEAT 13 – saw Rymel lead early on but as Parker had now got the bit well and truly between his teeth the Aussie Tiger went round Rymel at speed on bend two.  (3-3 / 43-41)

HEAT 14 – Magosi and Dicken battled hard early on as Aarnio reared and lost ground. (4-2 / 47-43)

HEAT 15 – Bandits’ to the fore! Rymel and Makovsky made no mistake here making sure they both kept Parker and Leverington under control and to the rear in a race that brought the house down. (5-1 / 52-44)

Andersons Quality Butchers Berwick Bandits 52

1. Adrian Rymel © 3,2*,3,2,2 = 12+2

2. Guglielmo Franchetti – Rider Replacement

3. Henning Bager 1*,R,2,1 = 4+1

4. Tero Aarnio 2,3,1*,1,1 = 8+1

5. Michal Makovsky 3,2*,3,2,1*,3 = 14+2

6. Norbert Magosi ® 2*,3,3,3,0,3 = 14+1

7. Adam McKinna ® 0,0,0,0 = 0

Buildbase Glasgow Tigers 44

1. Shane Parker © 1,1*,3,6!,3,1 = 15+1

2. Ross Brady R,2,2,N = 4

3. Trent Leverington 3,1,2,2*,0 = 8+1

4. Mitchell Davey 0,0,0,N = 0

5. Robert Ksiezak 2,1,6^,0 = 9

6. Josh Grajczonek ® 2,0,0,Ts,2 = 4

7. Lee Dicken ® 1*,1*,1*,1,R = 4+3