Speedway – Barker gets call and Bandits skid to defeat

Lewis Bridger needs more treatment on his injured back. Picture Colin Poole

Ben Barker has won a late call-up to Monday’s Integro British Speedway Championship Final at Belle Vue.

The former Berwick Bandits, Glasgow Tigers and Great Britain World Cup racer will take the place of Lewis Bridger who has been ruled out with a back injury.

Bridger is set for more physio in a bid to get back on track for Berwick soon.

Meanwhile, Ipswich Witches moved into second place in the ten-strong Championship table thanks to a 57-36 victory over bottom club Berwick Bandits on Thursday night.

They now have 32 points from 15 fixtures and the result sets up a cracking clash at Edinburgh Monarchs on Friday night.

The Scots have 35 points from 16 matches with Glasgow Tigers now third. They have only raced 12 fixtures.

Ipswich caught Berwick cold and were 14-4 ahead after three races. They never looked back.

Danny King pocketed a 12-point maximum with former Edinburgh rider Justin Sedgmen next best on 11.

Kyle Newman scored ten points with another former Edinburgh rider, Rory Schlein, on nine points.

Monarchs skipper Sam Masters, who was a guest rider, top scored for Bandits with 15 points from five rides and he was the only Berwick racer to claim double points.

David Howe and skipper Kevin Doolan both collected seven points.