Berwick Bandits are at full strength as they begin one of the biggest weeks in their recent history.<\/p>\n
Next week sees the historical cup giant-killers meet Poole \u2013 who they beat to win the trophy in 1989 \u2013 in their first semi-final for 21 years.<\/p>\n
But first they entertain table-topping Scunthorpe Scorpions at Shielfield Park on Saturday (7pm) looking to extend their 100 per cent home record.<\/p>\n
Jordan Jenkins, signed as short-term injury cover for Reid Battye, made a dream debut with 13 points in last week\u2019s narrow victory over Glasgow.<\/p>\n
With Battye pencilling in the first week of July to return from a fractured vertebrae, another big performance from the 24-year-old could give the Berwick management a selection headache as they chase glory on three fronts.<\/p>\n
Peter Kildemand returned from injury against the Tigers and scored 15 points in breath-taking fashion, continuing his fine form in the Premiership earlier in the week with nine points for Belle Vue.<\/p>\n
Scunthorpe are led by big-scoring former Edinburgh Monarchs rider Josh Pickering but they are without Luke Harrison who is one of four Great Britain teenagers, including Redcar\u2019s Jody Scott, looking to qualify for the European under-19 Championship final. Buxton\u2019s Alfie Bowtell guests.<\/p>\n
Stewart Dickson, Berwick\u2019s team manager, said: \u201cEveryone at the club is excited by the cup semi-final but we also need to get more points on the board in the Championship.<\/p>\n
\u201cScunthorpe have already won at Redcar and drawn at Edinburgh and we know what Josh Pickering and Connor Mountain in particular are capable of around Shielfield.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a couple more riders with limited experience around here so they are unknown quantities. But really it is a question of every Berwick rider concentrating on doing their own job.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs long as that happens the result will come. Then we can think about Poole on Wednesday.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, Glasgow Tigers\u2019 racer Freddy Hodder has vowed to \u201cknuckle down\u201d and make sure his heroics aren\u2019t a one hit wonder.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old romped to a paid 12-point maximum to steer the Allied Vehicles Tigers to a crucial win at Oxford, now his side can go top of the Cab Direct Championship if they win at Workington on Saturday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hodder wants his incredible display to be a springboard to more positive results for him and the team.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI know I can do it and my performance at Oxford proves that. This season has been really frustrating for me, it\u2019s been hard mentally and on the bike.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe plan that this isn\u2019t just a one-off. I need to take this confidence into Workington on Saturday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI just want this to carry on. I\u2019m not going to get a maximum every time but I want more points and consistency.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s my first-ever maximum in my professional career and it\u2019s a big achievement for me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe main thing now is not to get ahead of myself. It\u2019s about making sure I knuckle down again with more positive results at the weekend.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to enjoy my racing a bit more now. I think I have found something that is good and working.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Tigers went up to fourth with the victory over the Cheetahs. Although they will have raced more meetings, the club will leapfrog Poole at the top of the table with a win in Cumbria.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hodder added: \u201cIt\u2019s good to win away from home and the team needed that as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a shame we haven\u2019t had a great start to the season. Our league form is really important now. Hopefully now we are all finding a hot spot and we can keep it going.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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