Last updated 09:22, Thursday, 30 October 2008

Berwick Bandits 55 Workington Comets 38 (89-96 on agg): It’s been a long and winding road but Workington Comets have finally won their first seven-man trophy.

Comets after their recent meeting at Somerset: Charles Wright, Jason Lyons, Joe Haines, Carl Stonehewer, Tomi Reima, John Branney

Berwick Bandits, who had provided Workington Comets with their first opposition back in 1970, were again the team in the spotlight last night.

The Young Shield might be behind the Knockout Cup and Premier Trophy in terms of prestige, but that didn’t matter at Shielfield as a galvanised effort by the Comets over the last two thirds of the meeting gave the Workington fans their equivalent of the Holy Grail.

Taking a 24-point lead across to Berwick looked a massive advantage until the Comets saw the state of the home track.

When half the advantage had gone in the opening six races, there was just a shadow of doubt creeping into even the most confident Comets supporter.

Referee Jim McGregor had already left his box to go down and talk to the riders and have a look at the track himself before ordering some grading.

There were a few riders who looked considerably at ease but the inspiration and catalyst for a Workington rearguard action was provided by guest Jason Lyons.

Filling in at number one after Tomas Topinka had been unable to complete his commitment as guest for the injured Daniel Nermark, the seasoned Australian gave Workington just the boost they needed.

He was handed the black and white helmet colour for heat seven taking the tactical ride with Workington 12 points in arrears.

He needed to win it, stop the rot and put some confidence back into the Comets.

The fact that he won it comfortably was a pivotal moment in the tie as the 6-3 got Workington moving again after their efforts appeared to have stalled.

The Comets then hit back again with a 4-2 in heat eight to cut the lead on the night to seven.

Lee Dicken fell, setting-up a re-run and with Charles Wright roaring to the front and going clear it became a battle for second between Scott Smith and John Branney, which the former Comet won.

Berwick, like Workington, were also seeking their first seven man trophy and promoter Peter Waite was looking to end his nine year reign on a high.

But he probably realised at this point that the chance might have gone because Workington came back with three successive shared heats and with only four races left they still led by 17 points. Provided they had a finisher in each of those remaining races Workington would be able to lift the trophy at the end.

Berwick were given hope by consecutive 5-1’s in 12 and 13 but a dramatic penultimate race finally confirmed Workington as Young Shield champions.

Joe Haines made the start but great work by Paul Clews took him round at the end of lap two. Haines then slowed with mechanical problems which turned the spotlight on John Branney.

The reserve went on to clinch the Shield for the Comets. He battled his way under Smith to grab second place and knew that was good enough to wrap-up the win.

Workington-bred Branney had defied foot and arm injuries to ride in both the Knockout Cup and Young Shield finals.

Lyons won the last race to end Tai Woffinden’s chance of a maximum and complete the statistics.

It only remained for the Mayor of Berwick Hazel Bettison to hand over the shield to Carl Stonehewer, acting captain in the absence of Kauko Nieminen.

Even Woffinden letting-off a fire extinguisher in front of the Comets fans to provide a virtual smoke-screen to the presentations could not dampen the spirits of Workington’s travelling fans.

MATCH FACTS
Berwick Bandits 55: Tai Woffinden 13; Lee Dicken 3; Michal Makovsky 13; rider replacement for Tero Aarnio; Paul Clews 10, Guglielmo Franchetti 7; Scott Smith 9

Workington Comets 38: Jason Lyons 18, Charles Wright 5, rider replacement for Kauko Nieminen; Joe Haines 3; Carl Stonehewer 5; Tomi Reima 1; John Branney 5