[S]unday promises to be a tough day for the riders, mechanics and everyone else connected with Workington and Newcastle as the two clubs face each other home and away in their SGB Championship Knockout Cup 1st round replay.
At the first time of asking each side won their respective home leg by an identical 49-41 score-line to make the aggregate score 90-90 and force a rare replay.
Tomorrow’s first leg takes place at Workington’s Derwent Park, with an early 1:00pm start time, after which riders, mechanics, management and supporters will make the journey across the A69 for the second leg at Newcastle’s Brough Park, with the action getting underway there at 7:30pm.
The aggregate winners of tomorrow’s clash will meet Glasgow in the next round of the competition, while the outcome of the two matches will also determine which club will hold the Ian Thomas Shield for 2017; contested in the memory of the former promoter of both clubs.
Additionally, the Comets supporters are keen to welcome home the new British Champion Craig Cook following his victory at Belle Vue’s National Speedway Stadium on Monday; and Cookie will be parading his trophy for the fans before the meeting.
A special ticket will be available at Derwent Park where, for the discounted price of just £25, adults can purchase a ‘double ticket’ that gives them entry to both of that day’s meetings – which represents a total saving of £7 on the usual admission prices at each track. Also, despite it being a KO Cup fixture, Season Tickets ARE to be valid for this meeting.
Comets owner Laura Morgan said: “We hope plenty of supporters will take advantage of the special discounted ticket offer, which represents a great saving for the supporters of both clubs.
“The first attempt at deciding the cup-tie produced two excellent meetings and hopefully this replay will do the same, and with both meetings being on the same day it promises to be a proper feast of racing for the supporters.
“It will also be fantastic to see Craig bring his British Championship trophy to Derwent Park following his well-deserved success earlier this week. To have the British Champion in our side is a great honour for the club while it is proof that with hard work and dedication you can achieve success; and Craig has certainly put a lot of hard work into his racing and now he is reaping the rewards.”
Lining up for Newcastle is Craig’s Belle Vue team-mate Steve Worrall, who finished runner-up to him in the British Final, and he actually led the final for a lap before Craig stormed under him to take the lead and with it the title.
Going into that meeting Worrall was a fitness concern with a suspected scaphoid injury, however following further examinations he has vowed to race on and so takes his place in the Diamonds side tomorrow.
However, the Comets now have an injury-concern of their own going into these meetings with Thomas Jorgensen still troubled by the knee injury that forced him to withdraw from his final ride during Thursday’s 59-33 league defeat at Ipswich, as team manager Tony Jackson explained:
“Thomas is still struggling with his knee and he has had laser treatment yesterday and today (Saturday) to try and speed up the healing process. A decision will be made early on Sunday morning, but at present it really is a 50/50 call.
“If Thomas is unfit we will have to operate rider replacement in his absence and, with him currently lying second in our averages then it means that everyone else is eligible to take one of his rides.
“The only problem of course with Rider Replacement is if someone else takes a knock, then your resources are stretched, which is an even bigger issue when you have two matches in one day; but we are where we are and we just have to work around whatever situation we are faced with!
“On the plus side, Rob Shuttleworth made his return from injury on Thursday without any problems, while Matt Williamson also came through what was his first meeting since his big crash at Edinburgh two weeks ago; which was also his first meeting in the main body of the side too of course.”
With the new speedway season now well underway there are sponsorship packages for all budgets available with the club and for home meetings on request from Dan on 01900 813999 or via email dan@workingtoncomets.co
COMETS UPCOMING FIXTURES:
- Sunday 25th June at 1:00pm: Workington v Newcastle (Knockout Cup 1st round Replay, 1st leg)
- Sunday 25th June at 7:30pm: Newcastle v Workington (Knockout Cup 1st round Replay, 2nd leg)
- Saturday 8th July at 7:00pm: Workington v Sheffield (SGB Championship)
