Czech duo represent Bandits at Oak Tree; SPEEDWAY.

Byline: LAWRENCE HEPPELL

BERWICK'S Czech duo Michal Makovsky and Josef Franc represent the club at the Premier League Pairs Championship tonight at Somerset's Oak Tree Arena, writes LAWRENCE HEPPELL.

The Bandits pair line up in an especially tough looking Group One against favourites King's Lynn, home side Somerset as well as Rye House and Scunthorpe with the top two from both groups going into two semi-finals.

British Speedway Promoters' Association chairman Peter Toogood said: "It's always a good event but when you look at the line-up this has all the makings of a sensational night of racing.

"In fact it could be the best ever Premier League Pairs event and the venue is fitting because of all the work that's gone in at the Oak Tree Arena.

"I honestly cannot predict a winner, and that's not me just sitting on the fence! I think it will be a terrific night of racing where every rider will give as much effort as those riding in the British Grand Prix at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium tomorrow night.

"I hope the riders really show us all everything that's good about our sport. It is a fantastic product." Somerset are represented by Steve Johnston and Emil Kramer but they are sure to be tested in the same group as Berwick by teenage sensation Darcy Ward and Tomas Topinka of King's Lynn and Workington duo Kevin Doolan - top of last year's averages - and Adrian Rymel are sure to be a threat in Group Two.

Australian Johnston said: "Tonight will be my first appearance in the meeting and I'm really looking forward to it because I know what a great spectacle it is.

"I know a big crowd is expected because we'll get a lot of fans making a weekend of it by visiting Somerset before heading off to Cardiff the next day. It's perfect.

"It's been good for me this season. There was a time when I said I would never move into the Premier League but its good for me at this stage of my career, I'm enjoying riding regularly." Berwick promoter John Anderson said: "We may be in the toughest of the groups, but to win the title you have to beat the best anyway and our pair will be giving it their best shot." Franc won a bronze medal in the event three seasons ago when he was with Newcastle.

GROUP LINE-UPS GROUP 1: King's Lynn (Tomas Topinka & Darcy Ward), Somerset (Steve Johnston & Emil Kramer), Berwick (Michal Makovsky & Josef Franc), Rye House (Linus Sundstrom & Chris Neath), Scunthorpe (Magnus Karlsson & David Howe).

GROUP 2: Glasgow (James Grieves & Shane Parker), Workington (Kevin Doolan & Adrian Rymel), Redcar (Gary Havelock & Ty Proctor), Edinburgh (Ryan Fisher & Andrew Tully), Birmingham (Jason Lyons & Tomasz Piszcz)..