Workington Comets couldn’t stop their losing run against Belle Vue Colts, but number one Connor Bailey stole the show.
For although the Comets lost 51-39 in their latest National Development League clash Bailey produced a super five-ride 15-point maximum.
Not only that he regained the track record in heat one, then again in heat six and even winning heat ten he was faster than the old record set by Ashton Boughen on July 29.
He first lowered it to 56 seconds and then established a new record at 55.8.
Comets’ problem was there just wasn’t enough back-up with Luke Harrison, Sam McGurk and Elliot Kelly only managing one heat win each.
It also meant that the Comets only managed one heat advantage in the whole meeting – a 5-1 in heat six when Bailey established the new record and was followed home by Sam McGurk.
A really strong first corner saw Bailey force his way under Jack Smith on turn two of the first lap, with Smith then locking up and doing well to stay on his bike while McGurk did well to avoid him and round him as they exited turn two.
He then followed Bailey home for the only Comets 5-1 but Smith was not happy at all and gesticulated the fact to the referee but to no avail.
Meanwhile, despite having to force his way to the front on turn two of the opening lap Bailey went on to set a new track record again by knocking 0.2 of a second off his time in heat one.
It might have been a 5-1 in that opening heat until Sam McGurk locked up on exit of turn four on the opening lap and was passed by the two Belle Vue riders. Meanwhile Bailey raced clear to win by some distance.
With the first two heats shared it looked as though heat three would be the same as Luke Crang held third place for two and a half laps before being passed by Freddie Hodder and the Colts led with a 4-2.
The Colts had won by eight points on Friday night and they picked-up another 4-2 in the fourth race when Kelly split Smith and Luke Muff.
Heat five was awarded after it was stopped when riders were on the last lap after Luke Crang fell on turn four of lap three when in last place. Harrison had been the early race leader before being passed on the outside by James Pearson on turn four of lap three, shortly before Crang fell at the back.
Another 4-2 to Belle Vue in heat seven gave them a four point lead and in the following race Sam McGurk did well to withstand the pressure from Matt Marson on laps two and three before the Colts rider ran wide on turn two of the final lap to give the Workington man some breathing space and a 3-3.
By heat 11 the Colts had extended their lead to eight points after a good gate from Crang saw him lead on turns one and two before being passed on the back straight of the opening lap by the Aces pairing.
A great ride by Harrison in heat 12 by Harrison saw him shake off Sam Hagon by the time they started lap two and he went on to win but the Comets needed more than a 3-3.
It was the same in heat 13 when Bailey saw off the Belle Vue pairing by the end of lap one and then headed off to win comfortably with number eight Callum Foy not able to get among the points.
Crang totally missed the start of heat 14 while Kelly got himself into second place for just over a lap before being passed by Muff and the Colts registered a 5-1.
The final race of the afternoon was another tape to flag ride by Bailey to complete his maximum while Harrison got close to James Pearson on the final lap but not close enough to attempt a pass.
It meant that Belle Vue won the match and also took the aggregate points by 100-80.
Workington Comets 39: Connor Bailey 15; Sam McGurk 5 + 1; Luke Harrison 11; Luke Crang 2 + 1; Ace Pijper (rider replacement); Elliot Kelly 6; Harry McGurk 0; Callum Foy 0.
Belle Vue Colts 51: James Pearson 11 + 1; Matt Marson 5 + 3; Sam Hagon 11 + 1; Freddy Hodder 7; Jack Smith 8 + 1; Jack Shimelt 1 + 1; Luke Muff 8 + 2.
