Glasgow are due to get their season underway at Berwick tomorrow night - weather permitting - but are likely to find Berwick in determined mood. Berwick started their season last weekend at home with a challenge against Newcastle, a meeting that they lost 41-49 and will be looking to make amends.

Berwick's team building appeared to start late with Peter Waite playing a waiting game and not confirming the Bandits would run in 2006 until the last minute.

It did not stop him retaining the services of Adrian Rymel and Michal Makovsky from last season although the former was only after an about turn by the Czech rider. Rymel does still seem to be unsettled, with more friction being created after he missed Berwick's Press and Practice but appeared at Newcastle's. He was alarmingly off form in Berwick's opener only scoring 4+1 from 4 rides but is unlikely to have another meeting like that. On his form, Adrian can be very comfortable round his home track.

He is joined in the heat leader berths by assessed Swede Andreas Bergstrom, a solid rider who should be able to hold his own in the Premier League. However, both should find it difficult against Glasgow's pairing of Bird and Parker, especially as Shane was unbeaten at Berwick last season.

Like Rymel, Makovsky also had a bad opening meeting mostly due to poor gating and will be expected to have this sorted out for the weekend. He is partnered in the middle order by Lee Smethills. Makovsky was solid round Shielfield last season and will expect to score well against the Glasgow pairing. Berwick was Kauko's second poorest track last year. Lee also struggled badly there on his last visit last April. Makovsky's partner Lee Smethills apparently looked a little down on power last week but it would be a surprise if Berwick didn't get the better of the battle between these four riders.

The battle between the riders in the number 2 race jackets could be a close one. David Meldrum is back at a track he knows well and whilst David McAllan had a poor return on his only visit last year it was riding as a guest for Newcastle in a makeshift side. Home advantage may tip the balance in Meldrum's favour but its hard to tell when the Tigers riders have not had any action yet at all this season.

Berwick have gone for an A and a C grade at reserve. Craig Branney looked to be a good strong A grade and was in demand for a few premier league clubs. He does however tend to be a slow starter to the season. Danny Warwick will still be finding his feet at this level although he is a very determined youngster. James Cockle's gating could be a telling factor here. Robert struggled at Berwick on his last visit but it was when he returned from injury too early. He should still expect to be able to get the better of young Danny Warwick however.

Glasgow's lack of track time could go against them in this one, but the meeting looks as if it should be reasonably well balanced. Even though away from home, Glasgow's spearhead should be stronger than Berwick's with the reserve berths being fairly evenly balanced. With their advantage at second string, Berwick will feel they should be celebrating 3 points at the end of the 15 heats.

.

N049