Nieminen and Topinka polish off the Diamonds

John Walsh reports from Derwent Park

Last updated 13:45, Monday, 15 September 2008

Workington Comets 61 Newcastle Diamonds 31: Newcastle Diamonds were polished off in no uncertain manner as the Comets completed their second biggest win of the season.

Unstoppable: The Workington pairing of Tomas Topinka (red helmet) and Charles Wright (blue) head towards the first corner with Newcastle's Jerran Hart (yellow) and Christian Henry (green) during heat six at Derwent Park ADRIAN RANDALL

The Diamonds were outclassed as they failed to provide one single race winner in a match which had been wrapped up well before the end.

Newcastle only registered one heat advantage throughout the night, and that was only because Josef Franc took four points for second place when he was given a tactical ride.

The Comets, who complete their regulation programme on Friday night at home to Stoke, had a splendid spearhead in skipper Kauko Nieminen and guest Tomas Topinka.

Nieminen, in the form of his life at the moment – racking up points at both Elite League and Premier League – completed a superb five-ride maximum while Topinka collected a paid maximum.

Topinka, already regarded as the ultra professional, showed he’s quite a gentleman too as he actually slowed in heat fifteen approaching the line to allow his team-mate through for the skipper’s full maximum.

The Czech Republic rider proved a worthy replacement for number one Daniel Nermark whose season is now officially over after he broke down with more knee trouble in Poland on Thursday.

Topinka can probably expect more guest bookings from the Comets as they prepare for the Knockout Cup semi-final with Edinburgh Monarchs – and the probable League play-offs.

Workington also had to use a guest at reserve for Finnish international Tomi Reima who ricked his back riding back home during the week. Buxton’s Ben Taylor stood--in and although his three points was the smallest contribution to the Comets’ tally he rode with spirit and was always on the pace in his four outings.

He was actually the only Workington rider not to win a race but he was nicely tucked-in behind John Branney in the reserves’ race to record a paid win.

The sponsors J Edgar and son could have awarded the rider of the night nomination to either Nieminen or Topinka but chose Charles Wright, which proved a popular selection under the circumstances.

Wright was up the order at number two, always a difficult position to ride for a promoted reserve, and he responded very well. The youngster scored two wins, a second and a third – with a bonus point as well – for a paid ten point haul which would have been very satisfying.

Wright, at number two, along with Branney and Reima at reserve are going to be key figures when the Comets tackle potential League champions Edinburgh in the two legs of the Knockout Cup semi-final.

Workington opened the meeting powerfully against a Newcastle side which had to use the rider replacement facility for the injured George Stancl. The Diamonds would have expected more from the absentee than the four points his programmed rides earned them at Derwent Park.

After six heats Workington had established a 28-8 lead and the seventh race provided Newcastle with their first respite – a shared 3-3 – as Jason King and Christian Henry beat Taylor to follow-home the fast-starting Carl Stonehewer.

They looked to be in with chance of at least another shared heat in race eight after Branney touched the tapes and had to go off a 15-metre handicap.

The Workington reserve gave chase admirably and after reeling in Sean Stoddart he wasn’t far away from catching Newcastle skipper Richard Juul at the chequered flag.

Newcastle were trailing 43-17 after ten heats when team manager George English opted to give Josef Franc a tactical ride.

Stonehewer got away and for a fair time Franc was in third behind team-mate Jerran Hart before slipping through to take second and earn the four points which helped the Diamonds to their only heat advantage (5-3).

Two shared heats – with Newcastle’s pairs following home Nieminen and Topinka – kept the deficit at 24 points, but Workington finished strongly.

Haines and Taylor established a 4-2 in the penultimate heat – split by the hard-working Hart who was having his seventh ride – and then Nieminen and Topinka completed the fifth 5-1 of the night in the last with the guest easing off to let the skipper through for his fifth win.

Nieminen, as he’s done on several occasions this season, was the fastest rider on the track clocking 64.9 in his heat nine win and on this form will surely be worthy deputy for Daniel Nermark at the Premier League riders individual championship on Sunday.

MATCH FACTS

Workington Comets: Tomas Topinka 13; Charles Wright 9; Kauko Nieminen 15; Joe Haines 7; Carl Stonehewer 9; Ben Taylor 3; John Branney 5.

Newcastle Diamonds: Josef Franc 9; Sean Stoddart 0; Jason King 6; rider replacement for George Stancl; Christian Henry 7; Jerran Hart 7; Richard Juul 2.

Heat by heat

Heat 1: Wright, Topinka, Franc, Stoddart (65.3) 5-1

Heat 2: Branney, Taylor, Hart, Juul (65.7) 10-2

Heat 3: Nieminen, Haines, Hart, King (f) (65.6) 15-3

Heat 4: Stonehewer, Henry, Branney, Juul (65.9) 19-5

Heat 5: Nieminen, Franc, Haines, Stoddart (65.0) 23-7

Heat 6: Topinka, Wright, Hart, Henry (65.8) 28-8

Heat 7: Stonehewer, King, Henry, Taylor (66.1) 31-11

Heat 8: Wright, Juul, Branney, Stoddart (66.5) 35-13

Heat 9: Nieminen, Henry, Haines, Hart (64.9) 39-15

Heat 10: Topinka, King, Wright, Juul (66.2) 43-17

Heat 11: Stonehewer, Franc (tr), Hart, Taylor (66.6) 46-22