Berwick Bandits v Plymouth Gladiators

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.”

MAXiCab KO CUP FINAL, 1st Leg
BERWICK 58: Reid Battye 15, Nick Morris 13+2, Peter Kildemand 11+1, Victor Palovaara 9+2, Jye Etheridge 6+1, Jack Smith 4+1, Jordan Jenkins R/R.
PLYMOUTH 32: Ben Barker 11, Joe Thompson 6+1, Scott Nicholls 6, Danny King 4+1, Daniel Klima 2+1, Anze Grmek 2, Ben Whalley 1.

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Photo credit: ISOBEL YOUNG