Pietraszko hospitalised.

With the countdown to the opening match of the season now down to only four days, the jaw-dropping news arrived from Poland that Berwick's potential number 1 for 2005, Pole, Adam Pietraszko had been rushed into his local hospital on Friday last week suffering from agonising appendicitis.

"When the news came through we thought it was a joke at first," Said Berwick promoter, Peter Waite, "but it soon became apparent it was genuine and that's an awful blow to our early season."

"Our pre-season roller coaster continues to run, after getting an ambulance, completing our team, getting an excellent sponsor and claiming that we were finally ready to roll, one of our top men ends up in hospital. I cannot believe it"

"Adam suffered a nasty bout of appendicitis on Friday was instantly admitted to hospital for surgery at his Polish home base, and whilst he has now been released and is back home, he has been told in no uncertain terms that he won't be riding until March 19th. It's just the preparation blow we really could do without, but it's happened and we will battle on for the short time he's out"

Pietraszko's doctors have told him to lay off speedway until the Home derby in the Premier Trophy against Newcastle Diamonds, meaning he will miss this Saturday's Trophy meeting at home to Sheffield, and the following week's home clash with Hull in the Kirkland Carpets Champions Classic. To cover his absence Bandits will operate the Rider-Replacement rule which shares his 4 rides out amongst his other 6 team mates.

"I can't remember any season's build-up like the one we've suffered this year, and after this we have got to get some success coming our way.... No option!" finished Waite.