Berwick Preview
Posted 20/05/06

In reality only pride is at stake in tomorrows clash with Berwick in the Premier Trophy as neither club can progress in the competition but it is important for Glasgow to maintain their winning ways at home especially as it will be a weakened side that turns out for the Bandits.

Berwick's newest signing, Stanislaw Burza, will definitely not be in the Berwick line up heading instead for a league meeting in Poland. Following an article on the Workington website in the close season when they were deliberating over the signing of Tomas Pisczc we had understood that any PL side signing a Polish rider could only do so if the British meetings had priority but this appears not to be the case here and as it should be a conference league guest in his place, the paying public are again the losers.

However, more importantly, on to those who will be there. Andreas Bergstrom will be riding at 5 (unless tactically moved to number 1) and should find things very difficult against his Glasgow opponents. His form of late has not been particularly good, he will be riding at Ashfield for the first time in the Premier League and he has struggled at the only two small tracks he has so far raced at this season.

The main threat from Berwick will probably be Michal Makovsky who has been in excellent form this season and tops the Berwick averages. Past form shows he enjoys his visits to Glasgow and it would be a surprise if he did not top score for the Bandits tomorrow.

David Meldrum and Lee Smethills complete the Bandits main body and they have had differing starts to the season. Lee has probably done better than many would have expected, scoring consistently, and riding at no 3 will possibly be a threat points wise. David on the other hand has been erratic and tended to struggle away from home.

Reserve wise, Craig Branney was expected to be a trump card for the Bandits but struggled early on in the season. He does seem to have found his form now, scored 15 points at Stoke last weekend and will provide very stiff competition for his Glasgow counterparts. Little was known of grade C Danny Warwick and many were surprised when the Poole based youngster signed for Berwick but he has certainly matched his enthusiasm with some good performances at home although he has struggled away.

In all, it should be a comfortable home win for the Tigers although Bandits may do better at middle order. The Tigers will do well to remember the league fixture with Berwick this time last season however and not take things for granted.

N105