Speedway – Howe and Ethridge star as Bandits maul Tigers

Scott Courtney (right) pleased with Berwick’s start to the Championship. Picture by Nigel Duncan Media

Championship: Berwick Bandits 53, Sheffield Tigers 37

Berwick: Aaron Summers 8, rider replacement for Nikolaj B Jackobsen, Danny Gappmaier 5, David Howe 15, Kevin Doolan 9, Nathan Graves (guest) 2, Jye Ethridge 14.

Sheffield: Kyle Howarth 9, Todd Kurtz 8, Lasse Bjerre 7, Jan Graversen 1, Charles Wright 9, Joe Lawlor (guest) 0, James Shanes 3.

David Howe powered to a 15-point maximum as Berwick Bandits mugged last season’s champions Sheffield Tigers.

And Reserve Jye Ethridge, a former Edinburgh Monarchs rider, scored 14 points and earned a bonus point from five outings, including a win in the final race.

The 53-37 win continued the Borders side’s impressive start to the season and were 24-12 ahead after six races.

Bandits continued to dominate and moved 38-22 ahead after Heat 10.

A 5-1 two heats later extended their advantage to 46-26 but Tigers hit back with a 5-1 of their own in Heat 13 to reduce the deficit.

Back-to-back 3-3 draws in the final two races confirmed Berwick superiority on the night to the delight of team boss Scott Courtney.