BIG LEAD FOR BANDITS

BERWICK are in pole position to win the MAXiCab Knockout Cup after running up a 58-32 win over Plymouth in the first leg of the Final.

The Bandits maintained their 100 per cent home record this season in emphatic style, starting the meeting with three 5-1s in the first four heats to open up a gap which the Gladiators were never able to pull back.

Reserve Reid Battye was a star again with 15 from seven rides, whilst Nick Morris notched a 13+2 paid maximum and Peter Kildemand (11+1) was unbeaten in his final home appearance save for a fall.

The Gladiators provided just three race wins, two of which came from Ben Barker (11), and they now face a major uphill battle in the second leg at the Coliseum on October 10.

Bandits boss Stewart Dickson said: “It was an almost perfect night, but we won’t get too carried away.

“We still have to go to Plymouth in two weeks’ time and do a professional job.

“The atmosphere in the stadium was fantastic and all six of my riders responded to the support they were getting from the fans.”

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Photo credit: ISOBEL YOUNG