Comets edged out by Scorpions
Last updated 11:23, Saturday, 10 May 2008
Scunthorpe 47 Workington Comets 43: Workington's first visit to Scunthorpe ended in a narrow defeat on a night that James Wright returned to the Comets line-up.
Wright was guesting for the injured Daniel Nermark and gave a workmanlike display by winning three of his five rides in a 12-point haul.
But it was teenager Joe Haines – the youngster that the Workington management believe could be the next star like Wright – who stole the show.
He was kept very busy on his former Conference League track, scoring in all six rides – including two wins – for a total of 12.
Workington, in fact, had eight race winners on the night. After conceding a 5-1 from the first race on the night they were still four points in arrears at the end. They were never able to close that initial gap on a Scorpions side who put 50 points on Somerset at their last home meeting.
Team manager Ian Thomas said: “I was a little disappointed to lose because this was a match I had targeted for a win. A number of the guys were having their first look at the place and took time to adapt but it’s a nice set-up there and what they have achieved is a credit to them.
“We were ten points down after seven heats but gradually clawed our way back, without being able to get back on terms.”
Skipper Kauko Nieminen, who has enjoyed a productive start to the season, was Workington’s top scorer with 13 points which included three straight wins to finish-off the night.
“Kauko won the last race after going comfortably clear but the race for second was one of the best I’ve seen all year.
“Richard Hall, Magnus Karlsson and James Wright had a real ding-dong battle with the lead changing hands more than once and in the end James just nabbed them on the line.”
Workington’s third heat leader Carl Stonehewer struggled on the night as he was unable to come to terms with the Scunthorpe raceway. Twice he slid-off and was disappointed to finish with only one point and a bonus, said Thomas.
Scunthorpe Scorpions 47: Andrew Moore 9, Carl Wilkinson 8, Magnus Karlsson 11, Benji Compton 1, Richard Hall 9, Viktor Bergstrom 6, Byron Bekker 3
Workington Comets 43: James Wright 12, Barry Burchatt 2, Kauko Nieminen 13, Charles Wright 2, Carl Stonehewer 1, Joe Haines 12, John Branney 1
