Plymouth Devils 56 Workington Comets 37: Workington Comets’ poor away record continued as they were punished in a 56-37 loss at Plymouth last night.

Comets have won just one away meeting this year and they never looked like adding to that tally on a disappointing night on the south coast as Todd Kurtz ran riot with a five-ride maximum.

A stuttering start saw heat one rerun after first bend bunching caused Brady Kurtz to hit the deck.

The Australian made up for it at the second time of asking, winning ahead of his teammate Kyle Newman to put Comets on the backfoot from the start. Stefan Nielsen then hit the front in heat two with Ellis Perks behind him in a home 5-1, but the latter fell on the final lap and an awarded 3-3 spared Workington an early mountain to climb.

Todd Kurtz echoed his brother’s impressive ride with a win of his own in heat three, with Jack Holder swatting away the tenacious Kenneth Hansen and Mason Campton to leave Workington eight points behind.

Claus Vissing finally got Comets going with a win ahead of Sam Simota and Williamson in heat four, securing a 4-2 to chip away at the deficit.

But the hosts restored their lead immediately with a 5-1 courtesy of Todd Kurtz and Holder against the unusually out-of-sorts Jensen and Wells.

Vissing donned the black and white helmet in heat six but was a bit too eager as he jumped the start and the race was stopped.

The rerun was then halted when Brady Kurtz and Kyle Newman came together, with the Devils’ No2 excluded.

Vissing made up for his botched start with a stellar victory but Roynon couldn’t edge past Kurtz as Comets halved the hosts’ lead with a 7-2.

A disappointing showing from Hansen and Campton gave Plymouth a fourth 5-1 of the meeting, Nielsen and Simota breezing from gate to flag.

Nielsen touched the tapes in heat eight and Jensen got away well in the rerun, with Williamson third as they gunned for a 4-2.

Newman pegged the leader back on the third lap and Nielsen almost did the same to Williamson on the final bend but the youngster held on to share the points.

Plymouth extended their lead with a 4-2 in heat nine, Vissing piling pressure on Todd Kurtz at the front but unable to sneak past. Campton was first away from the line in heat 10 but he couldn’t keep Brady Kurtz at bay as the Devils moved 13 points ahead, while Hansen’s tough night continued as he struggled at the back.

Simota got away in heat 11 but Comets duo Jensen and Wells stood firm behind him to secure a draw.

Todd Kurtz notched his third win in a row in heat 12 but Hansen was hot on his heels ahead of Nielsen to limit the home side to a 4-2.

Wells finally came to the party with a stylish win in heat 13 but as luck would have it Vissing wound up last for the first time on the night in a 3-3.

Yet another impressive win from the gate for Todd Kurtz saw him followed home by Nielsen as Comets limped towards the end of the meeting.

The Devils finished a difficult night for those of a blue and white persuasion with a fifth win for Todd Kurtz, but Vissing and Jensen held off Holder to deny the hosts a final heat advantage.

PLYMOUTH DEVILS 56: Todd Kurtz 15, Brady Kurtz 9+1, Sam Simota 9+1, Stefan Nielsen 9+1, Jack Holder 8+2, Kyle Newman 6+1, Ellis Perks 0 

WORKINGTON COMETS 37: Claus Vissing 13, Rasmus Jensen 7+1, Ricky Wells 4+1, Kenneth Hansen 4, Matt Williamson 3+2, Adam Roynon 3, Mason Campton 3

Premier League points: Plymouth 3 Workington 0