THE BIG ONE! KO CUP FINAL (BANDITS v GLADIATORS) Saturday 26th, 7pm

[crescent girl]

It is 37 years since Berwick won the second-level KO Cup -- something Plymouth have never achieved in 95 years -- so everyone at each of these friendly, family clubs has plenty to race for on Saturday night, as well as again down south in a fortnight.

Gates open early, at 5pm -- bars and food outlets serving from then -- and Berwick must be congratulated by keeping to normal pricing (probably the lowest in the league) for such an abnormally-important fixture.   That's just £20 for adults, £18 concessions and all accompanied under-16s admitted free.    FOR THE CUP FINAL!      Admission by cash or e-ticket ONLY.  Cards or payphones cannot be processed at the turnstiles -- but e-tickets are available until 7.15pm on Saturday.     Full details on how to purchase e-tickets on club website at www.berwickspeedway.com.

Season passes are not available for post-season racing, but holders are entitled to admission for just £18, using the concessionary button or paying on the night at the Box Office -- your card is proof of availability.

There will be a souvenir programme on sale, possibly Berwick's biggest-ever edition of The Dirt at 40 pages, priced £4.50.

Plus, despite expectation of Bandits' biggest attendance for years, car parking is free.

As regards the racing, teams will line up:

Berwick R.E.D Campers Bandits::

1. Peter Kildemand 8.08
2. Jye Etheridge 6.34 (C)
3. Victor Palovaara 5.64
4. Jordan Jenkins 5.06 (r/r)
5. Nick Morris 7.84
6. Jack Smith 3.12
7. Reid Battye 5.01         TM - Stewart Dickson

Plymouth OBM Gladiators:

1. Danny King 8.16
2. Joe Thompson 6.09
3. Daniel Klima 4.99
4. Ben Barker (captain) 7.57
5. Scott Nicholls 8.15
6. Anze Grmek 3.37
7. Ben Whalley 2.00          TM: Garry May

The weather forecast looks fine, both clubs will have noisy camp-followers creating a raucous atmosphere with teams finely balanced there must be every expectation of a full night of entertainment -- saving the very best til last!

 

Edited yesterday at 12:32 PM by crescent girl
grammar

[jbell1995]

4 minutes ago, crescent girl said:

It is 37 years since Berwick won the second-level KO Cup -- something Plymouth have never achieved in 95 years -- so everyone at each of these friendly, family clubs has plenty to race for on Saturday night, as well as again FOR THE CUP FINAL!down south in a fortnight.

Gates open early, at 5pm -- bars and food outlets serving from then -- and Berwick must be congratulated by keeping to normal pricing (probably the lowest in the league) for such an abnormally-important fixture.   That's just £20 for adults, £18 concessions and all accompanied under-16s admitted free.    FOR THE CUP FINAL!      Admission by cash or e-ticket ONLY.  Cards or payphones cannot be processed at the turnstiles -- but e-tickets are available until 7.15pm on Saturday.     Full details on how to purchase e-tickets on club website at www.berwickspeedway.com.

Season passes are not available for post-season racing, but holders are entitled to admission for just £18, using the concessionary button or paying on the night at the Box Office -- your card is proof of availability.

There will be a souvenir programme on sale, possibly Berwick's biggest-ever edition of The Dirt at 48 pages, priced £4.50.

Plus, despite expectation of Bandits' biggest attendance for years, car parking is free.

As regards the racing, teams will line up:

Berwick R.E.D Campers Bandits::

1. Peter Kildemand 8.08
2. Jye Etheridge 6.34 (C)
3. Victor Palovaara 5.64
4. Jordan Jenkins 5.06 (r/r)
5. Nick Morris 7.84
6. Jack Smith 3.12
7. Reid Battye 5.01         TM - Stewart Dickson

Plymouth OBM Gladiators:

1. Danny King 8.16
2. Joe Thompson 6.09
3. Daniel Klima 4.99
4. Ben Barker (captain) 7.57
5. Scott Nicholls 8.15
6. Anze Grmek 3.37
7. Ben Whalley 2.00          TM: Garry May

The weather forecast looks fine, both clubs will have noisy camp-followers creating a raucous atmosphere with teams finely balanced there must be every expectation of a full night of entertainment -- saving the very best til last!

 

Huge anticipation for this fixture, as you mention, great for both clubs that they get this chance at silverware. For the Bandits, the wait isn't as long as for us Gladiators fans but what a great 30 legs ahead between two honest sides with passionate support but away from that, two fanbases who have great respect for one another and will make it a great occasion. 

The Gladiators fans will be heading north in their numbers. Understand there's at least two full minibuses making the trip. Loyal supporters who follow the clubs where ever they are racing along with almost a full contingent of Bar Bandits armed with their many, many flags and whistles. I am sure both sets of fans will welcome each other with open arms and share plenty of fun and banter with one another before and after both legs. My gut feeling is the Bandits will take the first leg but if Plymouth can keep it to within 10pts, that would make them favourites for the return fixture with King, Barker and Nicholls going to be as fit as they can be. 

May the best team win. Let's hope Speedway has some positive news to come from this two-legged affair and I look forward to being at the Coliseum in a fortnight's time for that all important second leg.

[Fozzie4388]

Looking forward to watching both legs on BSN nice to see two different sides contesting a final rather then the usual suspects 

[TheWellBehavedWorrall]

Really looking forward to this.

Couldn’t be happier for the Bandits and Gladiators; two clubs and fan bases very much deserving of an opportunity to win silverware.

Somewhat ironic and peculiar that the tracks couldn’t possibly be any more different or further away from one another.

[emilali]

Only Berwick Bandits would line up in a cup final with a rider who has declared himself as not having been fit for weeks and riding in pain.

[poole keith]

Surely must be a great speedway final,just has all the ingredients, as someone who was taken to pennycross late 50s early 60s(mostly walking from peverell) really supporting glads tonight 

[Bitza]

The best of luck to both teams, I hope the result is on pure racing without injury or idiot referring decisions. Good to have the Championship silverware spread about a bit.

[Bandit59]

No room for any passengers tomorrow night all 6 need to bring their A game think Reid will get 7 rides, hopefully we can build a winning lead to take to Plymouth 

[DSC67]

Well the big day is here , I think The Bandits will win but it’s all about by how much , gonna need at least 15 points of a lead to take into the second leg. Good Luck guys lets do this 🏆

[TheWellBehavedWorrall]

Just saw Greg Blair’s post on social media about tonight. Didn’t realise his family had ties to running the Bandits. He mentioned his great grandparents got the Bandits up and running 60 years ago. Brilliant.

Actually wish I’d made plans to go tonight. Love Shielfield Park. The speed down that back straight, the banking on the third and fourth bends, the 9/10 chips from the snack bar, etc.

Between the entertainment of Poole v Redcar and the fantastic racing on show last night with Glasgow v Scunthorpe, let’s hope the great week of Championship level speedway continues tonight. 

Edited 7 hours ago by TheWellBehavedWorrall

[chun]

Why is this meeting being run at the same time as the GP finale