PK returns as boss demands reaction

Manager Stewart Dickson is demanding a positive reaction from his team as they enter a significant weekend for their play-off hopes.

It begins tonight at Redcar (7.30pm), and continues home and away to Workington on Saturday (7pm) and Sunday (3pm).

Number one Peter Kildemand returns after missing the 30-point hammering at Poole on Wednesday due to Danish League commitments. The Bandits have already suffered a 23-point defeat at Redcar this season in the first leg of the BSN Series semi-final where Kildemand’s 10-point haul was by far the biggest contribution.

Redcar suffered a blow with in-form reserve Ace Pijper having to withdraw from their meeting against Plymouth on Sunday after suffering pelvis, back and kidney damage in a training accident at Glasgow the previous day and consequently has to serve a seven-day ban.

Pijper and Jody Scott have been a major factor in a run by the Bears which sees them on the fringes of the play-offs in addition to being big favourites to reach the final and defend the BSN Series trophy against the side they beat in last year’s final, Redcar. Scunthorpe teenager Ryan Ingram guests.

Pijper was involved in a crash with Dan Gilkes during a GB training session at Ashfield last weekend. Gilkes suffered a broken collarbone and has been replaced in the Scunthorpe side by former Bandit Jacob Hook.

Over the weekend former Bandits Drew Kemp and Jonas Jeppesen pose the biggest threat as the Bandits take on bottom of the table Workington. Workington skipper Troy Batchelor missed Northampton’s Premiership clash with Sheffield last night with a knee injury but has been named in the Comets’ side for the weekend.

The biggest of Berwick’s seven home victories this season was the 58-32 mauling of Workington in the Knockout Cup, recording 5-1s in seven of the first heats and eight in all despite losing Reid Battye with serious back injuries.

Battye is now back racing and, despite struggling on away tracks in his debut British season, he is a consistently high scorer around Shielfield Park and could very well be a match-winner again this weekend.

“Too many of the team didn’t perform at Poole. I am expecting a positive reaction this weekend,” Dickson said.

Friday night’s meeting will be streamed by BearsTV Buy livestream while the away match with the Comets on Sunday afternoon is now being covered by BSN View BSN

Tickets for Saturday are on sale now Buy tickets and keep an eye out on the Bandits Facebook and Instagram accounts for the opportunity to win a Golden Ticket – free admission for two, a pits visit and watching some racing from the centre green.

As always accompanied under-16s are free on Saturday night. Gates open 6pm.

Poole has been confirmed as the venue for the rearranged Championship Pairs with the event at Wimborne Road now scheduled for Wednesday  2 September.

Bears: Charles Wright, Simon Lambert, Jake Mulford, Jason Edwards, Jake Allen, Ryan Ingram, Jody Scott

Bandits: Peter Kildemand, Jye Etheridge, Victor Palovaara, Jordan Jenkins, Nick Morris, Jack Smith, Reid Battye

Pictures: Keith Hamblin