After coming back with a bang against champions Poole last week, Workington Comets are targeting a third Cab Direct Championship league win on home shale.
Spectators will be looking forwards to more thrilling racing as Comets entertain Scunthorpe Scorpions tomorrow, Saturday July 19, at 6pm.
Expectations will be high after the Comets put the Pirates to the sword in stunning style a week ago.
Poole had arrived at a sun-baked GT Tyres Arena, Northside last Saturday as reigning league champions and the current leaders.
But in front of a partisan and sunbaked crowd, the Comets made the perfect start with impressive 5-1s in their opening three heats, followed by a 4-2 in the fourth and they did not look back after that, winning 51-39.
Tate Zischke continued his red hot form, recording two heat wins on his way to a 12+1 points haul.
A highlight came in heat five as the young Aussie ruthlessly scythed his way between the Pirates pairing of Richard Lawson and Tobias Thomson, entering lap two, to take a lead he held to the chequered flag.
Antti Vuolas bagged 11+1, skipper Troy Bachelor finished with 7+2 and it was a real team effort with the quartet of 2025 signings Fraser Bowes, Jye Etheridge, Jacob Hook and Vinnie Foord — against his former club — also putting points on the board.
It had been an uncertain last few weeks for the Comets, whose competitive fixtures were put on ice for a fortnight amid off-track administrative issues.
However, they are back on track after securing a new partnership with Allied Mobility, principal partner of the GB Speedway Team.
Comets team manager James Denham has paid tribute to Allied Mobility’s Peter Facenna.
He said: “We are very grateful for Peter’s help and support over the last few weeks which have been pretty rough for everyone. He has been second to none.
“He has really been there for us — I guess repaying the favour when Andrew and Steve helped Glasgow with their stand and track.”
All eyes in the Comets ranks now turn to the visit of Scunthorpe.
The two teams have already tussled twice this term, with the GT Tyres Comets winning at Northside before Scorpions turned the tables at the Eddie Wright Raceway.
The hosts will run rider replacement on Saturday evening in the absence of Vuolas, who is representing Finland at the European Pairs in Daugavpils, Latvia.
All six remaining Comets will be eligible to take a ride with Vuolas having been the subject of a tactical switch to number two.
Scunthorpe — due to host Poole tonight — go into Saturday evening’s league clash in west Cumbria on the back of home and away victories over Plymouth Gladiators who this week announced the eye-catching capture of Scott Nicholls.
As Scorpions secured an aggregate point against their Devon opponents last Friday, experienced Steve Worrall top-scored with 12 points. Zaine Kennedy added 9+1 while Connor Mountain carded 7+2.
Fellow reserve, 18-year-old Luke Harrison, bagged a haul of 7+1. Harrison is a familiar face at Northside having been a member of the GT Tyres Comets’ National Development League squad during their 2023 return to action.
Also making up the Scorpions line-up this Saturday are captain Simon Lambert — who rode in Comets colours during 2014 — along with Declan Kennedy — younger brother of Zaine — and fellow Australian Jake Allen.
Comets team boss Denham believes recent wins have boosted his side’s belief as they aim to build on last Saturday’s electrifying win over league leaders Poole.
He said: “Antti’s over in Latvia this weekend riding for Finland, and we wish him all the best out there. We’ve gone with rider replacement in his absence, which means the rest of the lads can step in and cover his rides.
“Having R/R at number two gives us a bit of flexibility to mix things up in certain heats and hopefully strengthen the team where we need it.
“Scunthorpe gave us a good run for our money when they came here in May, but that was our first meeting of the season and we were still shaking off the winter cobwebs.
“Since then, we’ve had some really solid results—especially last weekend’s win over Poole, which gave the boys a real boost and belief, and reminded us what we’re capable of.”
“This one won’t be easy either, but after the performance we put in last Saturday, there’s no excuses why we can’t do it again. Everyone needs to dig in, and keep the last places to a minimum – because like us, Scunthorpe have got strength right through their team.”
