Speedway – Bandits tame Lions at home then skid to defeat away

Berwick Bandits failed to pull off a shock double over SGB Championship pace-setters Leicester Lions.

The Borders club won 50-40 at Shielfield Park on Saturday with Austrian Dany Gappmaier claiming a five-ride paid maximum of 14 points and a bonus point and there was strong support in the Bandits’ top order.

Lions had won at the same venue in the Championship Shield semi-finals a month ago but were prevented from taking any league points on the road for the first time this season.

On Sunday, Lions guest Chris Harris top scored with 13 points from five outings with Scott Nicholls next best on 11 points in a 54-36 win.

Bandits best was Nikolaj B Jacobsen with 15 points from seven rides on a night in which Aaron Summers was withdrawn after Heat Seven.

And Edinburgh Monarchs bowed out of the SGB Championship Knockout Cup at the semi-final stage on aggregate to Newcastle Diamonds.

The Tyneside team won the second-leg 56-34 with former Monarchs racer Steve Worrall top scoring for the home side with 13 points.

Josh Pickering with nine points proved to be Monarchs best rider on the night as Newcastle go through to meet either Eastbourne or Redcar on a 94-86 aggregate.