by john walsh

Last updated 11:42, Wednesday, 30 April 2008

JOE Haines just missed-out on a place in the semi-final of the British Under-21’s final at Lakeside last night.

Ride-on: Comets reserve Joe Haines scored nine points in his five programmed rides in the semi-final of the British under-21 at Lakeside last night. Charles Wright, Comets’ other representative, inset, scored five points

Haines scored nine points in his five programmed rides and was just behind Steve Boxall (10) who was the final qualifier for the semi-final. Charles Wright, Workington Comets’ other representative in the final on the Elite League track was down the field with five points. In the end it was Haines’ first ride which proved costly for the 16-year-old Workington reserve. He finished last behind one of the favourites Lewis Bridger, Adam Roynon and William Lawson.

But after that he recovered well to win his other two races, while finishing third behind top points-scorer Tai Woffinden and Ben Barker.

He was also second to another fancied rider Steve Boxall. Haines beat his Workington team-mate Wright when they met in heat five.

Wright, who had started with a third place behind Woffinden and Boxall, also had another second behind Bridger but finished the meeting with two disappointing last places.

Woffinden and Bridger went automatically through to the final as top scorers whilst Roynon, Barker, Lawson and Boxall raced in the last chance semi-final with Haines just missing out. Boxall fell in the semi-final as Roynon and Barker went through but there was drama in the final.Bridger was excluded after he brought down Barker in trying to get round Woffinden, so the re-run was contested by just three riders.Woffinden was always in charge despite a bold bid by Cumbrian rider Roynon, who hails from Barrow, with Barker in third place.

The meeting scores were: Tai Woffinden 14, Lewis Bridger 13, Adam Roynon 13, Ben Barker 11, William Lawson 11, Steve Boxall 10, Joe Haines 9, Jack Roberts 8, Josh Auty 8, Lee Smart 6, Charles Wright 5, Sean Stoddart 5, Daniel Halsey 3, Harland Cook 2, Andrew Tully 2, Lee Strudwick 1, Danny Betson 0, Kyle Hughes 0.

Haines and Wright will be back in action for the Comets tonight when they are at Derwent Park for the Knockout Cup match with Stoke Potters (7pm).The second leg is being raced at Stoke on Sunday night at 7-30pm.