We’re ready to face the Tigers’ roar

Your R.E.D Bandits, powered by STS, are revved up and ready to hit the ground running.

But they couldn’t have asked for a tougher seasonal debut as they twice go head-to-head with a Glasgow side which came within a Super Heat of winning the 2025 Grand Final.

The sides meet in Scotland tonight (7.30pm) and again at Shielfield Park tomorrow (7pm) in the Scottish section of the BSN Series.

Both teams have rebuilt over the winter with Berwick bringing in former Tiger Victor Palovaara – who scored 25 points on his two visits to Ashfield last season, Norwegian Lasse Fredriksen and Australian newcomer Reid Battye to join Peter Kildemand, Jye Etheridge, and two more former Tigers in Nick Morris and Jack Smith.

Glasgow, who hand home debuts to 20-year-old German Mario Hausl and Dane Kevin Juhl Pedersen, also recruited reserve Sam Hagon from their us over the winter. They drew at the section’s other side, Edinburgh, last Friday and are once again led by the evergreen Chris Harris, Kyle Howarth and former Berwick skipper Leon Flint who still lives just a couple of miles away from the Borders’ circuit.

Bandits’ team manager Stewart Dickson said: “It is important that we make a good start to the season, and it’s something we haven’t done in the past couple of campaigns.

“It is a slight concern that Lasse, Victor and Reid have not been able to get many competitive laps under their belts because of the rain-offs but they are fully fit and raring to go.

“Peter, Jye and Nick have been racing regularly in the Premiership and scoring well and all three, along with Victor, have gone well at Ashfield in the past.

“Last year we allowed Glasgow the win at Shielfield largely due to mechanical breakdowns. I don’t want to see that happening again in either meeting. Our side has drawn a lot of positive attention over the winter, now it is time to prove that we are a team to be reckoned with in 2026.”

Bandits: Peter Kildemand, Jye Etheridge (C), Victor Palovaara, Lasse Fredriksen, Nick Morris, Jack Smith, Reid Battye

Tigers: Chris Harris (C), Mario Hausl, Leon Flint, Kevin Juhl Pedersen, Kyle Howarth, Sam Hagon, Freddy Hodder

Ω Berwick and District Cancer Support Group will hold the collection, scheduled for the postponed Edinburgh BSN Series meeting on Saturday night. Money collected will help keep the Berwick Cancer Cars – a lifeline for those of us living in north Northumberland who need to keep attend vital hospital appointments. Either donate on the night or online via the charity’s website. Donate here

Ω Season passes can be collected from the Shielfield Park Box Office before racing on Saturday. They are still on sale at £199 for adults, £189 concessions. Buy here

Ω Just a reminder that 2026 admission remains £20 for adults, £18 concessions with accompanied under-16s admitted free. The 2026 matchday programme, The Dirt, costs £3.

Ω E-tickets for Saturday’s meeting are on sale now and can be purchased up until 7.15pm on a matchday. The £20 cost is inclusive of booking fees. Buy e-ticket. The only alternative form of admission is cash at the turnstile.

Pictures: Taylor Lanning