Speedway

Last updated 08:57, Thursday, 24 April 2008

WORKINGTON Comets expected a backlash on Saturday night from the chastened King’s Lynn – and they got it.

Their long 98-match unbeaten home run had been ended by Birmingham the night before and, with successive away matches at Workington and Glasgow, it could have been a disastrous start to their league programme.

But the Stars lived up to their name, holding Workington 45-45 at Derwent Park and then winning 47-46 at Glasgow’s Ashfield.

There would be some disappointment in the Workington camp that the first home point had been lost in the opening fixture – but traditionally the Comets do experience hiccups in that first match.

After dropping a home point to King’s Lynn on Saturday, Workington Comets restored the balance with a splendid 48-42 win at Newcastle on Sunday.

Pocketing three points now from away victories, with nothing for aggregate advantages, the teams who can be successful on their travels will be leading contenders for Premier League honours.

In the home match, the Comets had trailed from heat six when a 4-2, initiated by reserve John Oliver, pushed them in front 19-17 and it wasn’t until Workington grabbed a 5-1 in the 13th heat that they sneaked ahead.

Oliver again won the penultimate race, but Charles Wright and Joe Haines followed him home for shared points. It left the home side needing something similar in the last to take the points.

Kevin Doolan, who had been the outstanding rider on the night, got away from Daniel Nermark out of the first bend and with Kauko Nieminen crowded out by Thomas Topinka, the Stars were on a 4-2 which they held to the finish and drew the match.

John Branney, who knows the Borough Park track well, was one of the heroes for the Comets at reserve on Sunday with a nine-point haul which included two wins.

Although Saturday’s rider of the night Charles Wright struggled and failed to score, while Scott Smith continues to find points hard to come by, Branney’s fellow reserve Joe Haines made a solid contribution with six points.

The Comets were well-served by their three heat leaders, who were all in double figures, and the team conceded only three heat advantages in the meeting.

Team manager Ian Thomas said: “We were delighted to get our first away win because it made up for the disappointment of dropping a point to King’s Lynn the night before.

“I think what made the victory even more impressive was the fact that Newcastle had won their previous home match 63-27 against Sheffield so to go there and turn them over was quite an achievement.”

On Saturday, the Comets entertain Glasgow Tigers in the final Premier Trophy fixture but will be on the road early next week in the Premier League. They visit Reading on Monday and the Isle of Wight on Tuesday.

Workington Comets: Daniel Nermark 10; Scott Smith 2; Carl Stonehewer 4; Charles Wright 10; Kauko Nieminen 9; Joe Haines 4; John Branney 6.King’s Lynn: Thomas Topinka 6; Shaun Tacey 8; Kevin Doolan 14; Kozza Smith 2; Rusty Harrison 7; John Oliver 8; Simon Lambert 0.Newcastle Diamonds: Josef Franc 11; rider replacement for George Stancl; Christian Henry 11; Ben Powell 4; Jason King 6; Jamie Robertson 6; Sean Stoddart 4.Workington Comets: Daniel Nermark 11; Scott Smith 1; Carl Stonehewer 10; Charles Wright 0; Kauko Nieminen 11; Joe Haines 6; John Branney 9.