Berwick open PL campaign with away victory.

The Berwick Bandits opened their 2003 League championship campaign with an unexpected victory at the powerful Hull Vikings last night in a match that has already got the rest of the league sitting up and taking notice.

Berwick's performance was highlighted by a sterling effort from skipper Paul Bentley who just four days previous had been involved in a high-speed smash at Shielfield Park that threatened to keep him out of several meetings. His 13 points is a testament to his resilience and determination for success this year.

New Argentinian Carlucho Villar was involved in the thick of the action all night long including the most amazing entry to the third bend ever seen. He had already collided with Hull's Neil Collins on bend two, but shot down the back straight faster than anyone could remember seeing anyone. He hit the fence four times, and yet still remained on his machine at the end of the bend having been virtually thrown off it twice in five seconds. His skill was amazing.

Berwick's Peter Waite is adamant this is just the start of a big League year for Berwick, saying after the event last night: "I told the lads we had to win tonight, but in all honesty Hull are a strong side, and I felt the win may just elude us. Thankfully the riders want this League title as much as I do, and as much as the fans do, so they went out and rode like the heroes they truly are. We deserved victory tonight, and can't wait for the next opposition to be brought along".

Berwick's next match is on Saturday at home (Shielfield Park at 7pm) against reigning Premier League Champions, the Sheffield Tigers including Berwick track record holder, Sean Wilson, former Bandit Scott Smith, former Newcastle skipper, Andre Compton plus current league sensation Andrew Moore.

Berwick line up as expected, with only one question mark on Josef Franc who has international commitments in his native Czech Republic