Berwick and Edinburgh Monarchs clash in the Cab Direct Championship at Shielfield Park on Saturday (tapes-up 7pm) and a 100 per cent home record has not been enough to see the Bandits into the play-offs.
Edinburgh are there, despite conceding 61 points at Scunthorpe on Friday, and both sides operate rider-replacement, Berwick for injury victim Victor Palovaara while Monarchs’ skipper Paco Castagna is riding in the latest round of the Italian Championship.
It could be an emotional night for popular Berwick’s Danish rider, Peter Kildemand, who has confirmed he will be retiring at the end of the current season.
His team-mate Jordan Jenkins comes into the clash in good form after recording his first-ever Championship paid maximum (9+3) guesting in Scunthorpe’s 61-29 victory over Edinburgh.
Reserve Reid Battye had an eventful night at Redcar scoring five points as a guest for Glasgow and was also excluded twice.
He, along with Nick Morris and skipper Jye Etheridge, have helped Berwick cover injuries in recent weeks and they will be looking to pile up the points again as Berwick bring the curtain down on their league campaign.
There is a huge incentive for Bandits in the match and Stewart Dickson, Berwick’s team manager, (pictured) is determined to maintain the club’s unbeaten record at home in all competitions and said: “That would be quite an achievement.”
Berwick: Peter Kildemand, Jye Etheridge, rider replacement for Victor Palovaara, Jordan Jenkins, Nick Morris, Jack Smith, Reid Battye
Edinburgh: Dan Thompson, rider replacement for Paco Castagna, Justin Sedgmen, Jonatan Grahn, Jye Thompson, Mitchell Cluff, Jordy Loftus
