Berwick Bandits secured their place in the MAXiCab Knockout Cup semi-finals with a 100-80 aggregate victory over Workington Comets after a dramatic two-leg quarter-final tie.
The Bandits built a decisive advantage with a dominant first-leg performance at Shielfield Park before the Comets responded with a home win in the return fixture, although the deficit proved too large to overturn.
First Leg: Berwick Take Control
Berwick produced a powerful display on home shale to record a 58-32 victory, establishing a commanding lead in the tie.
A run of 5-1 advantages in the opening stages saw the Bandits surge ahead, opening up a significant gap that ultimately proved decisive.
The meeting included several key incidents, including a controversial Heat 4 decision which saw Craig Cook excluded after a referee review, and a heavy crash in Heat 8 involving Niklas Holm Jakobsen and Reid Battye, with both riders withdrawn.
Peter Kildemand led the scoring for Berwick with a 12-point maximum, while Victor Palovaara (11) and Nick Morris (9) also contributed strongly. For Workington, Jonas Jeppesen top scored with 9, supported by Dayle Wood on 8+2.
Second Leg: Comets Hit Back
Workington responded with a 48-42 victory in the second leg at the GT Tyres Arena, but Berwick’s first-leg advantage ensured progression.
Despite being without Craig Cook and Niklas Holm Jakobsen, the Comets produced a strong team performance, led by Jonas Jeppesen, who delivered a faultless 18-point maximum.
Troy Batchelor (12) and Tate Zischke (11+1) provided key support as Workington attempted to reduce the aggregate deficit.
Berwick, however, remained composed, with Peter Kildemand again leading the way with 10+1, while Jye Etheridge, Victor Palovaara and Lasse Fredriksen all added solid scores.
The Bandits confirmed their progression in Heat 11, with a 4-2 from Kildemand and Etheridge securing the aggregate result.
🗣️ Reaction
Workington temporary team boss Baz Collins reflected on a challenging weekend but praised his team’s response:
“It was a night to forget at Berwick, we just weren’t getting out the starts in the first half of the meeting which seemed crucial.
“We had some torrid luck regarding the Heat 4 decision and then obviously the injury to Niklas and Craig – but I was proud of the lads in the second half of the meeting to actually outscore the hosts.
“I was pleased with how the lads responded on Sunday, the odds were very much against us with a patched up side, but they all delivered a great team effort.
“An 18-point maximum from Jonas was unbelievable and to do it in those circumstances in Heat 15 was something special.”
Berwick team manager Stewart Dickson said his side showed professionalism to complete the job:
“We were focused and professional about it and got the job done.
“It’s been a long time since the club reached the latter stages of the Cup but we are certainly not there to make up the numbers.
“It was a good all-round performance and we need to keep it going.”
Scores
First Leg
Berwick 58: Peter Kildemand 12, Victor Palovaara 11, Nick Morris 9, Jye Etheridge 8+2, Jack Smith 7+1, Reid Battye 6+3, Lasse Fredriksen 5+3
Workington 32: Jonas Jeppesen 9, Dayle Wood 8+2, Troy Batchelor 5+1, Craig Cook 5, Tate Zischke 4, Jamie Etherington 1, Niklas Holm Jakobsen 0
Second Leg
Workington 48: Jonas Jeppesen 18, Troy Batchelor 12, Tate Zischke 11+1, Mitchell Cluff 4+1, Dayle Wood 3, Jamie Etherington 0, Craig Cook r/r
Berwick 42: Peter Kildemand 10+1, Jye Etheridge 7+1, Victor Palovaara 7, Lasse Fredriksen 7+1, Jordy Loftus 5+1, Nick Morris 4, Jack Smith 2+2
Images courtesy of Keith Hamblin