Scott Courtney reflects in the pits. Picture by Nigel Duncan Media

Berwick Bandits won the last five races by 21 points to 9 against Newcastle Diamonds in the Tyne/Tweed Trophy.

It was not enough to win the first-leg with the Tyneside team going home with a 49-41 win.

And Bandits’ team manger Scott Courtney admitted the visitors were the better team, but he refused to make excuses.

Courtney pin-pointed poor gating and a dry track which was slicker than Bandits like.

And he said Berwick were not as good as they were against Glasgow Tigers the previous Saturday.

The team manager argued that his men fought to the end of the meeting which, he feels, showed massive character.

George English, Newcastle’s team leader, believed his men shocked a lot of people with their performance.

Many, he said, expected Diamonds to go home defeated. English added: “Berwick are not a bad side at all, just look at their win over Glasgow which was no easy task and we take great confidence from this victory.”

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