TEAM boss Cami Brown praised his side for a vital victory despite ending with just FOUR fit riders.
The Allied Vehicles Tigers produced a crucial 52-38 win over Berwick in the Cab Direct Championship at Ashfield last night (Friday).
Already utilising rider replacement for the injured Kevin Juhl Pedersen, the home side lost Mario Hausl with a hand problem and Kyle Howarth also picked up a knock.
But big performances from Leon Flint (16), Chris Harris (paid 15 maximum), Sam Hagon (paid 12) and Freddy Hodder (paid 11) made sure the Tigers went back to the top of the league.
Brown said: “It was a very tough night. We had to make sure we covered for all the rides somehow. There was a lot to deal with tactically.
“But I have to say the boys responded magnificently. Leon Flint, Chris Harris and the reserves Sam Hagon and Freddy Hodder were outstanding.
“Unfortunately we may well lose Mario for a while with a hand injury after his Heat 1 crash. Kyle also tweaked something because he’s only just back from injury as well.
“We’ve had blow after blow lately but we are hanging in there and getting results. The boys showed some real resolve tonight to get the job done.
“Berwick threw away some points but they stayed in the meeting until the latter stages. They are a very good side this season and kept us under pressure until the last couple of heats.
“The main thing is that it’s three more points on the board. There’s a long way to go but we are in a stronger position.”
Bandits led in the early stages until two 5-1s in Heats 5 and 6 pushed the home side in front.
But a big maximum for the visitors in Heat 10 over the struggling Howarth, narrowed the gap to four.
However a wonderful 5-1 from Harris and Hodder all but wrapped up the meeting in Heat 12. Flint and Harris rounded it off in the final heat.
Brown added: “We had a blip last week in the Scottish Cup but I’m delighted to keep up the strong momentum of four successive wins in the Cab Direct Championship.
“It’s very tight in the race for the play-offs so we need every point we can get. To get all three tonight was perfect for us to stay top of the table.
“Hopefully we can get Kevin back for our next meeting with Edinburgh on July 31. If we can be back on song, we’ve got a great chance of securing that all-important top four place.”
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP
GLASGOW 52: Leon Flint 16, Chris Harris 14+1, Sam Hagon 11+1, Freddy Hodder 7+4, Kyle Howarth 4+1, Mario Hausl 0, Kevin Juhl Pedersen r/r.
BERWICK 38: Peter Kildemand 13+1, Jordan Jenkins 9+1, Jye Etheridge 7+1, Victor Palovaara 6+1, Reid Battye 2+1, Jack Smith 1, Nick Morris r/r.
Glasgow win aggregate point.