Berwick boss Stewart Dickson has challenged new signing Drew Kemp to make this the year he jump starts his career.
As the Bandits begin their BSN Series campaign with the visit of Glasgow to Shielfield Park on Saturday (7pm) Kemp will be looking to put the
series of machinery problems which restricted his scoring in last weekend’s Border Trophy series against Workington behind him.
While fellow Berwick debutants Freddy Hodder, Bastian Borke and Danyon Hume racked up the points and race wins, Kemp was down on power, although he still managed 11 points over the two matches.
Dickson also manages the 21-year-old at Premiership Leicester where he has also endured a similarly frustrating start to the season.
But the Scot believes the Berwick backroom staff has identified the source of Kemp’s misfiring machinery and challenged the three-time British Under-19 champion to take his career onto the next level in 2024.
“Drew needs to find a consistency which will see his career progress,” Dickson said.
“He has been at the same level for the past couple of seasons and I think this is the year he has to push on.
“Most riders have what I call a jump year, the one where they concentrate on stepping up to the next level. 2024 needs to be Drew’s jump year.”
His next challenge is to get among the points against a Glasgow Tigers side packed with former Bandits. And the city slickers arrive having won every one of the last 13 meetings between the sides in all competitions.
Chris Harris and Berwick-born Leon Flint are the Bandits’ previous two captains while Lee Complin and Paul Starke both had hugely successful spells in the yellow and black while reserve Ace Pijper began his professional career with the club’s National Development side, the Bullets, as a 15-year-old.
Even those with no Berwick connection – Steve Worrall and James Pearson – have scored freely there in the past.
“While not being disrespectful to Workington or the Border Trophy, they were useful warm-ups but our season starts here,” Dickson said.
“I don’t expect us to score 56 points again this week – but wouldn’t turn it down – but we have the benefit of two meetings under our belts and there were very promising signs last weekend.
“It was a real seven-man effort against Workington. Lewi (Kerr) and Rory (Schlein) had a middle of the road night on Saturday but the other five scored 45 points between them. On Sunday they very much led from the front and saw us over the line in Cumbria.
“That is how it needs to be against the Tigers. Everyone knows their job and if we do it to the best of our ability then we are a match for any side, including the reigning play-off champions.
“Glasgow come with plenty of track knowledge and that winning streak behind them but this is a new Bandits side and one which doesn’t carry the scars of previous losses.
“One thing for certain is that Glasgow fans will travel in their hordes and there will be a great atmosphere inside the stadium.”
Bandits: Lewi Kerr, Danyon Hume, Jye Etheridge, Drew Kemp, Rory Schlein, Freddy Hodder, Bastian Borke
Tigers: Chris Harris, James Pearson, Leon Flint, Paul Starke, Steve Worrall, Lee Complin, Ace Pijper
words by Berwick Speedway – Image by Taz McDougall
