Barry Collins was stand-in team manager for the Workington Comets on Friday and was pleased with his side’s effort despite the opening 48-42 defeat at Redcar Bears.
Standing in for the absent James Denham, Collins said: “It’s disappointing to lose, you always want to win, but there were lots of positives to take from the meeting. We were in a number of strong positions but didn’t quite convert them when it mattered.
“Craig was excellent and Jonas showed his quality at number one, while Niklas improved as the meeting went onand was exciting to watch in the end once he got dialled in. For me he deserved more than his points tally suggested.
“A few track issues caused some delays but it was the same for both teams.
“Once it was sorted, we witnessed some great racing afterwards I thought.
“Overall, it’s the first meeting done, we’ve got laps under our belts now, and we’ll take the positives into next week against Scunthorpe.”
It will be the Comets first home meeting of the season on Saturday from 3pm.
Reserve Vinnie Foord had an awkward fall in Heat 12 when the Comets were sitting on a comfortable 5-1.
He will have a hospital check and undergo assessment on a potential knee injury.
