Workington Comets lost for the second time in two days to the Berwick Bandits to concede the 2024 running of the Border Trophy.
But individual performances in the 47-43 defeat at Northside strongly suggested that, given a few more weeks, the Comets will be in a more challenging position to tackle the Championship.
These opening meetings were all about settling in the new overseas riders who have joined the Comets for the 2024 season.
Evidence today points to Workington having discovered the new Kauko Nieminen/Rusty Harrison partnership in the latest Finland/Australia double-act Antti Vuolas and Tate Zischke.
Gradually dialling in to the requirements at the Northside Arena, the pair showed their potential with some masterful riding which earned them five heat wins between them.
Much to the delight of the sizeable home crowd team manager James Denham paired them in heat 15, and although it didn’t go to plan with a Berwick 4-2 to clinch the match, it was still a glimpse into the future.
Both riders had started on the back foot. Zischke retired in the very first race while Vuolas was out of the points in his first competitive ride at the track.
Zischke dug in for a third place ahead of Freddy Hodder in his next outing while Vuolas – latest in the line of Flying Finns – stormed to victory in his second outing, beating the Berwick number one Lewis Kerr.
Then it was Zischke’s turn in heat eight with a brilliant ride to earn his first win in British speedway. He went from last to first to lead home Danyon Hume and Bastian Borke.
Vuolas followed up in equally eye-catching fashion, going from third to first round the last two bends of the opening lap. It was terrific speedway.
With sold contributions from the more experienced members of the side in Craig Cook, Claus Vissing and Troy Batchelor it suggests the Comets have a good mix of potential and know-how.
Unfortunately the Comets only managed three points from the reserve slots although Celina Liebmann would take encouragement from beating talented young Dane Borrke to register her first point at Northside.
The Comets ride again next Saturday when Scunthorpe Scorpions are the visitors in a BSN Series clash (3pm).
Workington Comets 43 (77)
Craig Cook 7 + 1; Tate Zischke 7 + 1; Antti Vuolas 11; Claus Vissing 8; Troy Batchelor 7; Sam McGurk 2; Celina Liebmann 1 + 1.
Berwick Bandits 47 (103)
Lewis Kerr 11; Danyon Hume 6 + 1; Jye Etheridge 8; Drew Kemp 4 + 1; Rory Schlein 11 + 1; Freddy Hodder 4 + 1; Bastion Borke 3 + 2.
You can hear team manager James Denham’s views on the match as he talks to Cumbria Crack’s John Walsh below:
