Berwick go top.

Kirkland Carpet Berwick Bandits made top slot in the League their own on Saturday night, sitting clear of Edinburgh by 2 points, having defeated a somewhat depleted Glasgow Tigers' side without both new signings. Ekberg was on official international business whilst 16-year-old Leon Madsen had taken it upon himself to return to Denmark and not ride for his new club in the most bizarre of circumstances.

Glasgow had hoped to race with Trent Leverington back in their side for Madsen, but this move fell foul of the speedway regulations that meant Leverington was not eligible to race, and had to sit out the meeting after lengthy discussion between the 2 managements, the referee and the final say with the B.S.P.A management committee. Fair to say this reduced the Tigers' fire power, and it was a shame the public had to watch 3 races with only 3 riders, including Heat 1, well taken by Rymel with Stancl fighting hard behind. 4-2.

An engine failure for Pietraszko in Heat 2 turned a Bewick 5-1 into a 3-3 when his chain gave way on lap 2. (7-5). Heat 3 was also shared 3-3 with Stancl getting into the groove to win well, and his partner Kristensen falling into the 3rd bend fencing. (10-8), as the halved heat sequence continued in Heat 4 that began with Wilkinson and Cockle thrilling the crowd with some tight elbo to elbow riding. (13-11).

Stancl found himself out in front after bend 1, but Madsen shot beneath him on 1 of 1, whilst Smith went the long way round the Glaswegian Czech on bend 2, only for Stancl to re-take Madsen later that lap for a 4-2 (17-13).

Schramm's bike packed in on the start line and with seconds to go came out mounted on Wilkinson's machine, but neither he nor Rymel could catch the simply superb Shane Parker and his immaculate style. 3-3 (20-16), before Makovsky and Pietraszko in Heat 7 jetted away for a dominant 5-1 over Kristensen. (25-17).

Heat 8 had to be re run following an attempt at a pass by Stancl who had started off 15m for double points as a tactical substitute, but as he powered up under Schramm on the approach to bend 1, lap2, the Bandit was accidentally send tumbling into the fence, with the exclusion for Stancl following as the result of a purely racing incident. Schramm needed medical attention and an ambulance ride to the pits, yet came out in the re run and won, blasting around the outside of Cockle off bend 2. 4-2 (29-19).

The consummate professional that is Parker came out in Heat 9 as a tactical ride for double points and won with ease in a Tigers' 2-7 (31-26) before Heat 10 required re running when Cockle hit the 3rd bend fence as his team mate, Kristensen was well in front. Unfortunatley for Kristensen he made a poor gate in the re run and finished 3rd. 5-1 (36-27).

Heat 11 began with both Makovsky and Pietraszko passing Stancl, but you can never ignore the Tigers' Czech, as he powered round both Bandits on bend 2. Breath taking! 3-3 (39-30).

Heat 12 came with another Tiger tactical but Kristensen could only take 3rd for 2 points in a 5-2 (44-32), which was followed by a very tight bend to open Heat 13. Rymel eventually ground to a halt with machine trouble in a Tiger 2-4 (46-36).

Heat 14 saw a textbook domino effect on bend 1 as all riders went wide, the one off gate 4, Cockle tumbling into the fence, picking up a minor hand injury, but enough to keep him out of the re run which resulted in a Bandit 5-1 (51-37)

After a all 4 side by side opening bend in Heat 15, it ended up shared 3 a piece, and Berwick celebrated taking all the points on offer including the aggregate bonus by 102 - 86, and the match 54-40.

"Once again team spirit brought us this well earned success tonight!" Said Peter Waite afterwards, "Wilko lent Schrammy a bike when his packed in, the team work in the pits was superb and when Chris [Schramm] hit the deck in Heat 8 most of the team came out to help .... It's a team working together for success and they really deserve it this season.....I'm a very proud promoter."