Berwick Bandits kept up their 100 per cent Championship record with a convincing 57-32 win over Newcastle at Shielfield Park.
Bandits provided 11 race winners with their No 1/2 combination of Aaron Summers and Kevin Doolan proving particularly impressive as they raced to three 5-1s.
Summers top-scored on 12 and a bonus point with captain Doolan on 10 points and two bonus plus and David Howe adding ten points, while Tero Aarnio (11) and guest Nico Covatti (10+1) collected double-figures for the Diamonds.
Berwick team manager Scott Courtney said: “One thing is for certain, when we get that bit between our teeth we really take the opposition to town, and Newcastle, who are in no way a bad side, felt that determination in no uncertain terms.
“Having Theo (Pijper) back in the pits felt like it had completed our 2018 jigsaw as he fitted back in so well and felt right at home, showing some brilliant moments in his races.”
Newcastle manager George English said: “Berwick are in remarkable form at their home at the moment, but we suffered some bad luck too with engine failures, retirements – Ashley’s [Morris] fall in Heat 3 didn’t help our cause, but also points were generally hard to come by where normally we wouldn’t have difficulties.
“So it was a hard night out for us, however on Sunday in the return we have a chance of instant revenge, and we’ll be going for it.”
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