Berwick Bandits reached their first KO Cup semi-final in 21 years in the Cumbrian sunshine even though victory eluded them with a 48-42 defeat at Workington Comets.

However, Berwick had done the hard work with a 26-point first-leg victory the previous night meaning that a 4-2 for Peter Kildemand – the only Bandit to hit double figures – and skipper Jye Etheridge in Heat 11 secured their aggregate victory by 100 to 80.

On an afternoon dominated by former Bandit Jonas Jeppesen who stormed, largely untroubled, to a six-ride maximum, Kildemand came the nearest to denying him a full house, holding his countryman at bay for all but the last two bends of Heat 15.

While Troy Batchelor and Tate Zischke redeemed themselves after a torrid Saturday showing in support of Jeppesen, for Berwick it was a case of solid and steady with Etheridge, Victor Palovaara and Lasse Fredriksen all scoring seven points, covering a surprisingly low return from Nick Morris.

Workington only managed to pull back two points of the first leg deficit by Heat Six but, suddenly, it was a little less comfortable as first Jeppesen and then Cluff passed Morris for a 5-1.

Workington seemed to be heading for another maximum next heat but Fredriksen had other ideas slicing up the inside of Batchelor, Palovaara catching Dayle Wood to turn the heat in Berwick’s favour.

Comets’ guest Mitch Cluff looked set to win Heat Eight only to find unwanted grip on the back straight, almost clattering the fence, Etheridge taking full advantage to go through for the win.

Morris went from first to third in a disastrous heat nine as Zischke and Batchelor took full advantage and again Berwick looked to be in trouble as Jeppesen and Cluff led most of the following race. But in case anyone thought that the visitors were just going through the motions, Fredriksen and Palovaara raced right to the flag and both passed the Australian on the run to the line.

Having secured the tie it was a question of who was going to win on the day, Kildemand battling all the way to split Jeppesen and Batchelor in a superb heat 13.

Fredriksen then gave the Bandits an outside chance of completing the leg double as he successfully repelled a serious off attack from Zischke, Loftus keeping Wood at bay which meant that a 5-1 in 15 would secure a draw.

Kildemand did his part for three and three-quarter laps only for Jeppesen to sweep past while Etheridge was unable to get the better of Batchelor.

Stewart Dickson, Berwick’s team manager, said: “We were focussed and professional about it and got the job done. It’s been a long time since the club reached the latter stages of the cup but we are certainly not there to make up the numbers. It was a good all-round performance and we need to keep it going.

Comets: Jonas Jeppesen 18, Mitch Cluff 4+1, Tate Zischke 11+1, Troy Batchelor 12, Dayle Wood 3, Jamie Etherington 0

Bandits: Peter Kildemand 10+1, Jye Etheridge 7+1, Victor Palovaara 7, Lasse Fredriksen 7+1, Nick Morris 4, Jack Smith 2+2, Jordy Loftus 5+1

CLOSE LIAISON: Top scorer Peter Kildemand and skipper Jye Etheridge clinched Berwick’s cup progress. Picture Keith Hamblin