Last updated at 12:50, Monday, 03 August 2009

Workington Comets 49 Newcastle Diamonds 44: Workington Comets did not get the revenge they were looking for against Newcastle on Saturday night.

Andre Compton leads the field

After losing 62-28 the previous weekend Comets were looking for a convincing scoreline against the Diamonds at Derwent Park but they were made to work hard for their victory but again failed to take a maximum three points.

The Comets have failed to close out some meetings at Derwent Park this season and it was again the case on Saturday night.

Although the Diamonds only took two heat advantages all night, and Workington riders won 11 of the 15 heats, they only lost by six points mainly due to two fantastic rides by Danish youngster Rene Bach in the final two heats.

The first heat of the night was shared after Newcastle number one Kenni Larsen recorded the equal fastest time by a visiting rider at Derwent Park this season but from then on Workington took control.

Brilliant starts by both John Branney and Craig Cook in the next heat saw Comets score a heat maximum and then guest Ryan Fisher took his first victory of three in third heat.

It could have been so much better for Comets but Richard Lawson, who suffered a dislocated shoulder against Newcastle last weekend, fell at the end of the first lap while running second after pressure from Diamonds captain Jason King.

Andre Compton continued his brilliant form in the next heat when he took victory after getting round the outside of both Newcastle riders on the second bend and although John Branny fought hard he could not get past Trent Leverington despite crawling all over the back him for the four laps.

Fisher then took his second victory after holding off Derek Sneddon to share heat five and then Comets edged ahead after captain Kevin Doolan made a great pass on the outside of Mark Lemon to take the win and Branney took third to nudge Comets six points clear.

Compton then kept up his impressive form with another victory in a shared heat seven, before Comets extended their advantage with a 4-2 heat victory.

Branny made a brilliant start and held off a strong challenge by Diamonds reserve Trent Leverington with Lawson taking third after a fall from Sneddon.

A dramatic heat nine ensued, first with Adam McKinna being excluded for exceeding the two minute rule with Trent Leverington taking his place.

An unsatisfactory start followed after Fisher moved before the tapes went up and then the re run was stopped in the interests of safety after Fisher fell at the fourth bend after racing hard with Lemon.

In the second re run Lawson made a brilliant gate and managed to stay ahead of lemon to snatch a vital shared heat for the Comets and keep a healthy seven point cushion.

Doolan took Comets next victory in heat 10, but a great overtaking manoeuvre by Bach in which he passed both Branney and King on the outside saw the Diamonds share the heat.

Comets’ lead was then cut to just four points after Larsen and Sneddon took a heat maximum for the Diamonds but Comets hit straight back, Fisher taking his third victory and Branney taking third.

Comets then took a 10 point lead after their second heat maximum of the night, Doolan and Compton combining in a fantastic heat with all four riders scrapping for positions.

A tactical ride then took place in the penultimate heat, with Bach taking the black and white helmet.

Lawson got in front at the start but could not hold off Bach who took the victory and 7-2 heat advantage meaning Comets, not for the first time, were left needing a heat advantage to take all three points from the final heat.

Comets’ hopes were given a boost in the final heat when Larsen was excluded after taking out Ryan Fisher on the first bend.

In the re run Doolan and Fisher both got ahead of Bach at the start but another breathtaking overtaking manoeuvre by the Danish rider saw him pass both riders on the outside of the fourth bend to take the victory and deny Comets the maximum three points they were looking for.

COMETS

1. Kevin Doolan – 2,3,3,3, 1* = 12+1

2. Rider Replacement for Charles Wright

3. Ryan Fisher – 3,3, disq, 3, 2 = 11

4. Richard Lawson – 0,0,1,3,2 = 6

5. Andre Compton – 3,3,1,2* = 9+1

6. Craig Cook – 1*, 2*, 0,0 = 3+2

7. John Branney – 3,0,1,3,0,1,0 = 8

DIAMONDS

1. Kenni Larsen – 3,1*, 3,1, disq = 8+1

2. Derek Sneddon – 0,2,0,2* = 4+1

3. Jason King – 2,1*,1*, 2 = 6+2

4. Rene Bach – 1*,2,2,6 (tactical ride),3 = 14+1

5. Mark Lemon – 2,2,2,0 = 6

6. Adam McKinna – 0,0,0,0 = 0

7. Trent Leverington – 1,1*,2,1*,1 = 6+2

First published at 11:31, Monday, 03 August 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk