BANDITS LEAD BY 18

BERWICK have put Scunthorpe’s Cab Direct KO Cup defence under threat after a 54-36 first leg win at Shielfield Park.

The Bandits overcame the absence of Jye Etheridge to rack up a decent lead to take into next month’s return fixture, with Richard Lawson proving the perfect guest for the injured Lewis Kerr with a 15-point maximum.

Skipper Rory Schlein weighed in with 13+1 whilst Drew Kemp showed no ill effects from the crash with Etheridge at Edinburgh on Friday as he returned with a 12-point total against his former club.

Simon Lambert led the way for the Scorpions with 9+1 and they will look to turn the tables in the second leg on May 17.

Berwick boss Stewart Dickson said: “All credit to the riders, an 18-point lead exceeded all my expectations, but Scunthorpe are a tough proposition on their home track.

“It was a good performance, but the job is only halfway through. If the shoe was on the other foot I would be using the defeat as motivation and I’m sure that David Howe will be doing the same before the second leg.”

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Photo credit: TAZ McDOUGALL