LOOKING FORWARD TO … Redcar Bears

There’s nothing like hitting the ground running and that is exactly the task faced by the FTS Bandits, powered by Keenwood Karpets on the opening weekend of the 2023 campaign.

Redcar in the Knockout Cup, Bandits v Bears, 1980 and all that. Friday first leg postponement means that Shielfield Park on Saturday, 7pm now hosts the first leg with the return in Cleveland on a date to be arranged.

Every one of 30 heats vital, aggregate scores deciding who progresses to face Glasgow in the next round. Super heat run-offs available if required.

Our recent record in Cleveland gives us hope over the two legs – new signings Rory Schlein, Thomas Jorgensen and Connor Coles have all shone there – but it pales when put against the Bears’ recent performances in Tweedmouth.

Fans of the 2022 losing finalists never miss an opportunity to remind us that they have been defeated only once in the last seven visits to Shielfield.

Throw in the fact that skipper Charles Wright and Erik Riss have both scored maximums at Berwick and their own debutant Danny King, along with  Jason Edwards has regularly hit double figure scores around our circuit.

Redcar were back in the final last season, but King inspired an eight-point first leg victory at the ECCO Arena for Poole, despite 14 points for Wright, which all-but made the second leg a formality.

The Bears were forced into making a change to their 2023 team just a fortnight ago when it was announced that new signing James Shanes has failed to recover from arm and rib injuries suffered in a grasstrack crash last July.

That high speed horror crash in Holland brought his 2022 season with Birmingham to a premature halt and he is still suffering the after-effects.

Into the breach steps Australian-born but British qualified Connor Bailey who has spent the past two seasons at Glasgow but, despite signing for NDL new-boys Workington, he had not earned a Championship starting spot.

As well as three new faces the Bandits are under new leadership with Leon Flint captaining the side.

“There was no hesitation when it was suggested. The chance to captain your home town team is one that very few  get,” he said.

“Some club legends have done the job over the years. I’m following David Meldrum as a Berwick-born captain while the likes of Rob Grant, Paul Bentley and Bullets’ coach Kevin Little have been able to lift silverware over the years.

“I think everyone knows how important the club is to me and how much I enjoy being part of it.

“The management have signed a really exciting team and last weekend we really got together for the first time and that was a really good experience.

“Everyone is focussed on the same thing and I’m looking forward to some great nights as the season unfolds.”

Clashes between the two sides are rarely lacking in incident and excitement and there is really no better way to launch Berwick speedway’s 56^th season.

Much will be familiar to fans but there are one or two significant changes with regards to admission.

Tickets bought before midnight on Friday cost £18 – and this year that includes the booking fee – while admission on the day – either by cash or e-tickets – is £20. Matchday magazine, The Dirt, will be on sale at the turnstiles and Box Office, £3.

In the event of a weather-affected meeting the club will refund the cost of pre-purchased tickets. On the day admission tickets will be valid for future meetings including, but not limited to, any restaging. Accompanied children under-16 are admitted free using either entrance option.

www.berwickspeedway.com/tickets

Those who invested in season passes can collect them from the Speedway Office (formerly the 1881 Bar) between 1pm and 4pm on Saturday and then at the stadium Box Office from 5.30pm.

Passes are still on sale at berwickspeedway.com/store

Gates will open for cash payments at 6pm.

Bandits: Thomas Jorgensen, Jonas Knudsen, Leon Flint, Jye Etheridge, Rory Schlein, Connor Coles, Nathan Stoneman

Bears: Charles Wright, Connor Bailey, Erik Riss, Danyon Hume, Danny King, Jason Edwards, Jake Mulford

Referee: Graeme Hunter

 Recent form guide

(Bandits’ score first)

Pictures: Keith Hamblin, Taz McDougall, Nia Martin