Pickering totals 16 but Monarchs skid to defeat at Berwick

Former Edinburgh Monarchs star Rory Schlein and guest Richard Lawson led from the gate to secure a 47-43 win for Berwick Jewson Bandits in a tense BSN Series clash in the Borders.

Josh Pickering (pictured) was third with Justin Sedgmen last in Heat 15 and the 5-1 scoreline in the final race saw Bandits home after the sides were locked at 42-42 after heat 14.

That was Pickering’s only defeat of the night and he ended with 16 points from six races to top score for the visitors, but his total was countered by Schlein who bagged 14 from six rides to lead Bandits to another win and continue their encouraging start to the season.

Earlier, Bandits led by six points after Heat 11 but tactical substitute Josh Pickering won the next race with Kye Thomson second for a 5-1 and that cut the gap to 37-35.

The sides drew Heat 13 but Monarchs skipper Paco Castagna won the next race with Connor Coles second and Bandits rider Drew Kemp third to level at 42-42 and set up the final heat which Berwick won 5-1.

Berwick Jewson Bandits: Richard Lawson (guest) 9, Danyon Hume 7, Jye Etheridge 2, Dew Kemp 7, Rory Schlein 14, Freddy Hodder 1, Bastian Borke 7

Edinburgh Stellar Omada Monarchs: Josh Pickering 16, Lasse Fredriksen 2, Kye Thomson 4, Paco Castagna 8, Justin Sedgmen 6, Max James 3, Connor Coles 4