Beware wounded Tigers on Shielfield return

Beware wounded Tigers.

Out of the BSN Series, out of the Knockout Cup and just a solitary draw to show from five away days, this is not the Glasgow Tigers their fans or the speedway word in general are used to seeing.

But the R.E.D Bandits, powered by STS are under no illusion that Saturday’s return to action at Shielfield Park will be anything other than an almighty battle.

Chris Harris, Kyle Howarth and Leon Flint have outstanding records around our circuit, Sam Hagon has proved a handful against and a match-winner for us on more than one occasion and Dane Kevin Juhl Pedersen’s best haul of his British debut season was his 7+2 in Glasgow’s 41-48 BSN defeat in the Borders way back in April.

Harris, just five rides away from a sentimental return to the GP Series in 2027, managed only three points that night. They came from a solitary race win – in the fastest time of the season around a circuit he usually rides so well.

Flint scored 13 that night – his hopes of a maximum disappearing in heat 15 – and the same again guesting against Edinburgh.

He came straight off a plane after helping Great Britain reach the World Team Cup Final to replace Peter Kildemand as Bandits’ number one, 24 hours after the Dane broke a collarbone at Armadale.

Almost six weeks on PK is ready to return to the Bandits colours having missed just one further meeting due to a series of postponements and blank Saturdays for his team-mates.

With Jordan Jenkins making his debut in place of Reid Battye the Bandits are back to strength as they return to action and a packed programme which includes two cup semi-finals in addition to beginning their quest for a place in the Cab Direct Championship play-offs.

In contrast the Tigers have only the play-offs to aim for. New averages mean that for the third year in a row Hagon finds himself moving from reserve to the number two position as he swaps places with Mario Hausl, the young German finding British speedway a tough learning ground.

Glasgow have a fine record in the Borders, winning on 15 of their last 33 visits, but after a fortnight of rain in Britain they will come into the evening with no more race fitness than a Berwick side racing at home for the first time in 49 days and only the second time since May 2.

As always in these meetings it will be action all the way in front of a boisterous crowd including the noisy red and white army. They might not have had much to cheer about on their travels this year but they will arrive with high hopes.

As they did in April.

After so long without a meeting a reminder that accompanied under-16s are admitted free and that E-tickets and cash at the turnstile are the only methods of payment available. Buy tickets here

Gates open at 6pm, parade 6.50 and first race 7pm.

There is also an NJL match between the Berwick Speedway Academy and Ashfield Giants.

With Mason Watson taking a break from racing Berwick have so far named only Mark Parker in the 500s while Fraser Buckle hits the road again from his Oxford home to join the hugely entertaining Oscar Berwick in the 125 match-up between the Marshall siblings Ella and Douglas.

Bandits: Peter Kildemand, Jye Etheridge, Victor Palovaara, Lasse Fredriksen, Nick Morris, Jack Smith, Jordan Jenkins

Tigers: Chris Harris, Sam Hagon, Leon Flint, Kevin Juhl Pedersen, Kyle Howarth, Mario Haul, Freddy Hodder

Pictures: Keith Hamblin