Kerr outstanding as Bandits edge Tigers

BSN Series: Berwick Jewson Bandits 48, Glasgow Allied Vehicles Tigers 42

Berwick Bandits snapped a 13-match losing run to Glasgow Tigers with a confidence-boosting 48-42 victory in a BSN Series qualifier inspired by No 1 Lewi Kerr who led from the front with 13 points.

Bandits also scored solidly throughout and the result maintained the Borders club’s unbeaten start to 2024.

Kerr (pictured by Taz McDougall) set the tone with a tapes to flag victory over Glasgow’s former GP star, Chris Harris, in the opening heat of the BSN Series qualifier.

Freddy Hodder and Bastian Borke won Heat Two 5-1 but the home side was brought down to earth as former Bandits Paul Starke and Leon Flint showed they still know the fastest way around Shielfield Park.

Steve Worrall kept Berwick skipper Rory Schlein at bay and former Bandit Ace Pijper pipped Borke for third place to level the scores.

Danyon Hume ended a string of drawn heats by roaring under James Pearson and with Borke comfortably third Berwick were in front again.

Harris created an opening for Pearson to join him for a match-levelling 5-1 in Heat 11 and Berwick fans began to get an unpleasant feeling of impending déjà vu.

Jye Etheridge and Borke, however, powered from the gate in Heat 12 while Kerr and Schlein roared clear in crucial Heat 13, Harris producing a cutback to pass the Australian but Kerr was off into the distance and Berwick fans began to believe.

Tigers’ boss Cami Brown named skipper Harris, a former Berwick rider, as a tactical sub in Heat 14 and the Cornishman obliged with a comfortable win.

Behind him, Kemp tucked in for second place but the real action was at the back as Borke put real pressure on Starke and was just half a wheel from catching him at the flag.

Kerr settled any nerves the home fans may have had by passing Harris to win the final heat and Edinburgh are next at Shielfield before Bandits take to the road in the remaining BSN qualifiers.

Bandits: Lewis Kerr 13+1, Danyon Hume 6, Jye Etheridge 7, Drew Kemp 6+1, Rory Schlein 8, Freddy Hodder 2+1, Bastian Borke 6+1

Tigers: Chris Harris 15, James Pearson 4+1, Leon Flint 8+2, Paul Starke 5+1, Steve Worrall 6+1, Lee Complin withdrawn, Ace Pijper 4