A big finish from the Workington Comets saw off the challenge of Oxford Cheetahs at the Northside GT Tyres Arena.
The Comets, who were 9-3 behind after the first two heats never led until heat 13.
Then Troy Batchelor and Antti Vuolas raced to a 5-1 which gave the Comets a 41-37 advantage.
That was increased by Jacob Hook and Jye Etheridge in the penultimate race with another heat maximum.
Their eight-point lead was maintained in the final race as Vuolas grabbed the win followed home by the Oxford pair.
It left the Finn as Workington’s top scorer on the night with 11 + 1, notching points on all five visits to the track – two wins, two seconds and a third.
Best support came from reserve Hook who also had two heat wins, and Etheridge who also was first to the chequered flag on two occasions.
The two Australians finished the meeting with 10 + 1.
Batchelor was the only other Comet rider to win a race, a timely one at that in heat 13.
In the end it was a good comeback by the Comets but whether it will be enough to earn the aggregate point is another matter, which will be resolved on Sunday, August 17 in the second leg.
It’s one of six meetings left – the home leg against Glasgow Tigers, along with home and away against Edinburgh Monarchs and Berwick Bandits.
Workington Comets 49: Troy Batchelor 6+2; Fraser Bowes 6; Tate Zischke 4+1; Jye Etheridge 10+1; Antti Vuolas 11+3; Jacob Hook 10+1; Vinnie Foord 2.
Oxford Cheetahs 41: Sam Masters 10+1; Jordan Jenkins 4+1; Francis Gusts (RR); Mitch McDiarmid 8; Cameron Heeps 5; Luke Killeen 7+1; Jonas Knudsen 7.
