Berwick’s speedway stars – fresh from Monday’s stunning away win at Workington  – face a climactic weekend of racing which will go a long way toward settling their final Premier League placing for the year – and decide which end-of–term tournament the Bandits (who are sponsored by Anderson’s Quality Butcher of North Berwick) will contest.

“We have four regular league matches left” said Bandits’ boss Peter Waite, fresh from the team’s astounding victory in Cumbria.  

“If we win them all, there is a fair chance we could finish fourth and progress to the promotion play-offs, which would be dream finish for our Dream Team – who, before the campaign began, were predicted by a whole gang of so-called experts to finish stone rock bottom!”

Even if the gallant border side is shut out of the top four and promotion play-off, their progress in the sudden-death Young Shield tournament (contested by the next eight teams in the finishing table) will be dictated by their finishing place. 

“The top club is allowed to choose their first-round opponents” explained a Berwick official. 

“So if we were fifth, we could pick whoever we fancy out of the best of the rest – which would be vital if we are to make a real tilt for the coveted Shield”.

On Saturday night however, Waite’s wonders must face league leaders Somerset Rebels – a team unbeaten at Shielfield for three years – who are well aware that, to maintain their own title challenge they must continue their dominance at the Tweedmouth stadium.

Somerset’s attack is headlined by the brilliant Australian Jason Doyle – his scoring this season has exceeded even that of top Bandit Adrian Rymel – and the Rebels’ management have drafted in former Bandit Adam McKinna at reserve on Saturday to cover for the missing Stephen Katt.

Berwick will be handicapped by the continued absence of plucky little Finn Tero “The Hero” Aarnio and Hungarian Norbert Magosi.

Doubts over the fitness of Scott “The Scud” Smith – injured during the Workington win – means the border club’s remaining riders will all have to be in top form to maintain their dramatic late-season charge up the table.   

“This will be tough, very tough indeed” said Peter Waite,   “But if we are to maintain our league status, we have to win ‘em all, especially here at Shielfield. 

“I think our crowd, who have been getting right behind our riders in recent matches, could be our secret weapon – so let’s have the whole town turning out for this one.  Bring it on!”

Following the winner-take-all tussle on Saturday night, the Bandits travel north to race at Glasgow on Sunday afternoon in their final away match of the regular term.  

“The Tigers are in good form again” said a club spokesman.

“They’re at full strength, and must be expecting to beat us quite easily – just like Workington were expecting to do last Monday!