Edinburgh Monarchs v Berwick Bandits

Report

EDINBURGH are set to battle out BSN Series qualification with Glasgow after overcoming Berwick 53-37 at Armadale on Friday.

Both Scottish sides have now taken home wins and the aggregate point over the Bandits, meaning the aggregate outcome between the Monarchs and the Tigers when they meet in re-arranged fixtures will be crucial.

The hosts were comfortable winners in their home season opener, as Josh Pickering, Justin Sedgmen (both 12+1) and Kye Thomson (10) all scored heavily, with the aggregate point in the bag with two races to spare.

But the Bandits were badly hampered when middle-order duo Jye Etheridge and Drew Kemp were both withdrawn after colliding in Heat 7. Rory Schlein top-scored with 13 points, showing he still has expertise of Armadale.

Edinburgh manager Alex Harkess said: “That was just what we were looking for, they were really fighting for everything, so determined.

“They were just never going to give up and I never doubted they would take the points. Everyone did their bit.”

Berwick boss Stewart Dickson said: “It was one of those nights when everything seemed to go against us.

“Losing Jye and Drew was a big blow and stretched our resources but the remaining five got their heads down and worked hard for their points.”

BSN SERIES SCOTTISH
EDINBURGH 53: Josh Pickering 12+1, Justin Sedgmen 12+1, Kye Thomson 10, Paco Castagna 7, Connor Coles 6, Lasse Fredriksen 4+2, Max James 2
BERWICK 37: Rory Schlein 11, Bastian Borke 9+2, Kyle Howarth 6+1, Danyon Hume 6, Freddy Hodder 3, Jye Etheridge 2, Drew Kemp 0
Edinburgh win aggregate point

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Photo credit: JACK CUPIDO