Berwick Bandits sign Jordan Jenkins on short-term deal ahead of busy spell
Berwick Bandits have moved to strengthen their team as they begin a busy spell which could define their season.
Having raced only once since May 2, the Borders’ side now faces seven meetings in a three-week period which includes semi-finals against Poole Pirates (KO Cup) and Redcar (BSN).
They will be bolstered in their quest by former Bear Jordan Jenkins who has signed on a 28-day contract to cover the continuing absence of Reid Battye who suffered serious back injuries in the KO Cup semi-final win over Workington.
Despite recovering well the former superbiker, who was in red-hot form in his debut British season pre-injury, is still some way short of a return to racing.
Jenkins paid the price for Redcar’s indifferent start to the season, his replacement by Simon Lambert last week alerting the Berwick management.
A deal was quickly done with the 24-year-old from Norwich who burst onto the scene as a 15-year-old with Mildenhall in 2016 became a Bandit.
Two spells at Redcar in the Championship were sandwiched between a three-year stint with Oxford Cheetahs.
Jenkins has also ridden for Peterborough and Ipswich in the Premiership and was a member of the Witches’ title-winning team last season.
He will make his debut against Glasgow on 13 June – Berwick’s first home meeting in 49 days due to a string of rain-offs and the unavailability of opposition.
Bandits’ team manager Stewart Dickson said: “Reid is progressing well but with so many vital meetings ahead we did not want to rely on the availability of guests. It is always best to have seven of our own riders on board.
“When Jordan became available we were straight onto the phone and fully expect the move to Berwick to help him get back to the sort of form we all know he is capable of.”