Berwick Bandits face a familiar threat as they bid to end their Knockout Cup jinx this weekend as the eight-time finalists and twice winners of the competition have not progressed past the first round since 2015.
And a Cumbrian side including a trio of riders – Jonas Jeppesen, Craig Cook and guest Dayle Wood – who rode for Berwick in 2025 which will make it tougher to end that disappointing run.
However, Berwick began their home campaign with a comfortable victory over the Glasgow Tigers last Saturday and go into the weekend with confidence having won twice at Workington Comets, where the aggregate tie will be decided on Sunday afternoon, in the past three visits.
First Berwick must look to build up a significant advantage from Saturday’s home leg at Shielfield Park (7pm) and they will be looking to winter recruit, Reid Battye, to lead the way.
He scored 12 points against Glasgow, a dream British debut for the hugely-talented but inexperienced Australian and he said: “I couldn’t have asked for a better debut, but that’s in the past and I have to focus on a new challenge this week.”
Battye (pictured by Keith Hamblin) added: “I’ve been in Berwick around a month now and this is an important competition for the supporters, it is a major part of the club’s history.
“It would be good to give them something to shout about after the support they gave us against Glasgow.
“For me it’s a case of another new track to learn on Sunday, but there is plenty of experience in the side to help me out with set-ups and advice on how to ride it best.”
That includes Bandits skipper, another Australian based in the Borders town who spent last season in Workington colours and Swede Victor Palovaara whose 15-point haul at the GT Tyres Arena set up Edinburgh’s progress in last year’s competition while Dane Peter Kildemand scored a paid maximum on his only previous visit, Berwick’s league win there last season.
Stewart Dickson, Berwick’s team manager, said: “Before we even think about how big a lead we want for Sunday we have to make sure there are no mistakes on Saturday and get the first leg won.
“We need to be on our game because most of the Workington side rides Shielfield Park well but the same can be said for us at Northside.”
Lasse Fredriksen makes his delayed home debut for Berwick after missing the Tigers’ victory due to international commitments for Norway.
There is a doubt over reserve Jack Smith who is recovering after being involved in a major crash along with former Bandits Rider of the Year Connor Coles at Buxton on Sunday. If he is unable to ride then Berwick will call up a guest replacement.
Tickets for Saturday’s first leg are available now from berwickspeedway.com/tickets and the meeting will also be livestreamed by BanditsTV, stream can be purchased from tv.berwickspeedway.com
Berwick: Peter Kildemand, Jye Etheridge, Victor Palovaara, Lasse Fredriksen, Nick Morris, Jack Smith, Reid Battye
Workington: Jonas Jeppesen, Niklas H Jakobsen, Troy Batchelor, Tate Zischke, Craig Cook, Dayle Wood, Jamie Etherington
