Berwick Bandits team manager Gary Flint said the 65-25 defeat at Eastbourne Eagles was a night to forget.
He has urged his men to move on and blamed early heat reverses and an injury to skipper Kevin Doolan (pictured) as the main reasons for the reverse.
Nikolaj Busk Jacobsen was best for Bandits with 11 points and Aaron Summers scored six but the club’s two reserve riders, Leon Flint and guest Jordan Jenkins, scored two points.
Eagles’ reserves plundered 20 points Alfie Bowtell getting eight and Georgie Wood 12.
Former Berwick rider Edward Kennett and ex-Glasgow Tigers star Richard Lawson both scored 13 points.
Flint said: “The disastrous early heats, especially losing captain Kev in Heat Three really hit us hard and pulled the rug from under our rhythm right at the start.
“On a small and slick track like Eastbourne it was always going to be tricky to come back from. This was a night to forget. Time to move on.”
Eastbourne Eagle:; Edward Kennett 13, Ben Morley 9, Kyle Newman 10, Lewis Kerr 0 (withdrawn injured), Richard Lawson 13, Alfie Bowtell 8, Georgie Wood 12
Berwick Mike Hope of Wooler Ltd Bandits (powered by Clear Energy Consulting) 25: Aaron Summers 6, Jye Etheridge 2, Kevin Doolan 0 (withdrawn injured), Dany Gappmaier 4, Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen 11, Jordan Jenkins (guest) 0, Leon Flint 2
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