Speedway: Glasgow Tigers halt Berwick Bandits to clinch KO Cup semi place

Jul 25 2011

James Grieves

GLASGOW TIGERS overcame an eight-point first leg deficit against Berwick Bandits to book a Knockout Cup semi final place against Newcastle as their quest for Premier League domination continues.

The Bandits were optmistic of beating Glasgow overall, but an opening 5-1 from Joe Screen and Theo Pijper gave the Tigers a huge lift.

And although Sunday's second leg remained tight until the midway point, the Tigers pulled clear in the second half to eventually win on aggregate after heat 13, when Screen and James Grieves took maximum points from Lee Complin and Seb Alden.  

Screen, Glasgow's captain, led from the front once more with another immaculate 12-point maximum and despite an off-day for Nick Morris, it was another solid team performance from the Tigers, who now take on Newcastle for a place in the final after they overcame Somerset.

Co-promoter Alan Dick beamed: "It was thought that this tie was evenly poised after the opening leg and that is something that I thought too, but we were back to looking something like our old selves again and we were pretty dominant throughout.  

"Once again Joe le from the front but he had incredible backup from all the team with Theo and more especially Richard picking up some very vital points.  

"The middle section of the tie allowed us to take the strain off in the final closing heats and we were able to thoroughly enjoy the win and getting that place in the semi final.  

"We are all looking forward to that tie and it makes a pleasant change to be fighting for a place in a national final again."