KEMP’S THANKS TO BANDITS

DREW Kemp has paid tribute to Berwick for the part they played in his progression over recent seasons.

The former British Under-19 Champion raised his Cab Direct Championship average above eight in his second year at Shielfield Park, and was also successful in this winter’s Argentinean International Championship.

He has taken the decision not to race in the Championship this year in order to pursue other opportunities, although he still has a top-flight berth in the UK with Leicester.

Kemp said: “There is no question Berwick got the best out of me, and I wouldn’t be enjoying the opportunities with Daugavpils and Argentina if it weren’t for the past two years with them.

“I didn’t want to go anywhere else and spoke seriously to (team manager) Stewart Dickson and (club owner) Jamie Courtney about doing another year there.

“Logistically it is difficult with Berwick a 14-hour round trip from home every Saturday, and to then fit in Poland just wasn’t possible.”