Berwick Bullets re-sign Ben Rathbone after injury rules out Archie Freeman

Former rider Ben Rathbone has signed for Berwick Bullets as cover for the injured Archie Freeman. Picture: Nia Martin

The 26-year-old from Middlesbrough has initially signed a 28-day contract and will take his place in the side when the Bullets return to the track against Oxford Chargers on June 3.

He made 26 appearances for the club having been one of the Bullets’ founder members in 2021 and has also ridden for Belle Vue Colts.

Winter signing Freeman suffered a broken tibia and fibula in the first ride of his Bandits’ debut at Belle Vue and since then the Bullets have operated rider-replacement for the teenager.

Team manager Kevin Little said: “The last couple of meetings have shown that rider-replacement becomes almost impossible if you suffer further misfortune such as the loss of guest Jason Garrod at Kent or Josh Embleton last weekend.

“Ben has plenty of experience at this level, especially around Shielfield Park where four of our remaining five fixtures are.”

He added: “He was disappointed to miss out on a team place in the first place and determined to grab the opportunity.”

Rathbone finished the 2022 season with an average 4.07.

Embleton missed Sunday’s trip to Workington after a spectacularly frightening heat two crash at Shielfield on Saturday left him suffering shoulder, back and rib pain.

He reports feeling “pretty banged up and hobbling around” but was able to return to work on Monday (May 22) and has made physio appointments to ensure he is fit for next Saturday.

Bullets lost 40-50 to Workington Comets in their last outing, a controversial refereeing decision denying them a last-heat decider.