Reserve Matt Williamson is confident Workington Comets can overhaul Newcastle Diamonds’ eight-point advantage in the second leg of their Knockout Cup tie.

Williamson was one of Comets’ brightest performers at Newcastle on Sunday, scoring seven with two bonus points to help keep the scores close – 49-41 – ahead of the home clash on April 22.

“I think we should expect a good meeting in the return leg. We are strong at home,” he said.

“If you look at any team, we can match them man-for-man.

“It was a fantastic team performance at Newcastle when you look at what Workington have been beaten by, there in the past.

“I think Steve Whitehead told me it was our best performance there since 2011 which speaks for itself really."

“It’s always been one of my weaker tracks and obviously, without even getting a proper meeting under my belt this season, I was pretty nervous going there," he added.

“But I got stuck in and had a really good meeting, so I was chuffed.”

Williamson admitted he has been itching for the start of the season and is using missing out on an SGB Premiership team spot as motivation to perform even better.

“I’m really determined this year,” he said.

“At No.6 now, I’m the senior reserve and it is a lot tougher because after heat two, I’m basically against heat leaders.

“My goal every meeting is to win heat two and build on that.”