Workington Comets to hit the road for first time

Fraser Bowes and Troy Batchelor leading Luke Harrison and Jake Allen. Picture: Dave Payne

After three thrilling Cab Direct Championship home wins on the trot, Workington Comets hit the road in the league for the first time this year to face Poole Pirates.

In what has been a rollercoaster campaign for the Comets, both on and off the track, they have reeled off spectacular Championship victories on each of the last two weekends.

On Saturday, James Denham’s men swept aside Scunthorpe Scorpions at the GT Tyres Arena by 58-32.

Saturday’s triumph against the Scorpions came seven days after a stunning success on home shale against Poole, meaning the Comets have a 12-point lead to defend in Dorset today, Wednesday July 23, as they try to scoop an aggregate bonus point from a return fixture against the reigning league champions.

It will be a tough task for the Cumbrians against a Poole side who have lost just two Championship matches this term and are unbeaten at home in the league.

They have chalked up two victories during the past week — against visiting Edinburgh Monarchs last Wednesday, and at Scunthorpe on Friday evening — and have a nine-point lead in the current standings.

Poole number one Richard Lawson is in good form going into the midweek fixture against his former club, scoring 13+1 and 11+2, respectively, in the last two meetings. Skipper Zach Cook top-scored against the Scorpions with 14 points.

Poole won all three meetings with the Comets at Wimborne Road in 2024 — in the Championship, a BSN Series last four clash and league play-off semi-final.

Ex-Poole rider Vinnie Foord returns to his old stomping ground this week having been runner-up at the stadium in the inaugural Harbour Masters Championship early last month.

Comets team boss James Denham said: “We are back to full strength for the clash at Wimborne Road with Antti Vuolas now back in the line-up. We used rider replacement for him on Saturday.

“Poole have only lost twice this season, but we are on a really rich vein of form and we are going down there to win.

”Picking up the aggregate bonus will be a huge bonus and something not many other teams will bag over Poole this season. We are 12 up and we will have to be firing once again in all departments like we were against Scunthorpe on Saturday if we want it.

”Vinnie is a former Poole rider and he is right up for it, as are the whole team who are brimming with confidence after some fantastic results.

“We need to be sharp from the gate and adapt quickly to the track. If we do that I’m in no doubt we are in a good position for not only the bonus point but the win.”