Workington Comets’ number one Connor Bailey has continued his progress in the Championship with Redcar Bears.
So far this season a first win was followed by a first appearance in heat 15, and last night for the first time he was Redcar’s top scorer.
Bailey scored 10 points and a bonus from reserve as Redcar were well beaten 55-35 at Scunthorpe.
He won the reserve race and then had five more rides, including a win in heat 14 and a third place in the final race of the night.
Bears manager Gavin Parr said: “It’s brought us down to earth after winning at Glasgow, but I can’t fault the effort. Everyone gave 100 per cent but it wasn’t our night.
“In the last three weeks it’s just clicked for Connor. He’s riding in the NDL so he’s getting his races at Workington, and all of a sudden winning races breeds confidence. He was fantastic tonight.”
Former Comet Charles Wright had an off-night without a win in his four starts, collecting only six points from two seconds and two third.
Bailey, who has been in fine form for the Comets, will be back at Northside this afternoon (3pm) when Workington face their toughest test to date against Mildenhall Fen Tigers.
Team manager James Denham says: “Mildenhall have another great team, like ourselves. We have to be on our toes from the off and hit them hard from the start.
“They have a strong team with race winners in there like Lee Complin, Alfie Bowtell and Ben Trigger. But equally, we are back to full strength for the weekend, with Luke Harrison and skipper, Luke Crang back in the side and fully fit.”
Trigger, of course, took a shine to the Northside track when he took second place in the British U-21 Qualifier last week.
Harrison, who is back from injury, will be keen to get among the points after recovering well from his horrendous pre-season injuries.
Elliot Kelly will also have something to prove against his old team. He has started brightly for the Comets despite suffering a torn ligament in his knee from a nasty crash at Northside a couple of weeks ago when he went on to score 10+2.
Harry McGurk hasn’t started the season as he would have liked but Denham is tipping him to hit the form he’s shown previously and the form everyone knows he capable of.
“Harry has had a tough start to the year, but he’s been practicing at Northside since the Berwick match and he’s keen to get out of this rut – and he will do, he’s only 19,” said the team manager.
