Workington Comets trailed only by six points on their first match of the new season, beaten by holders Redcar Bears in a BSN Series clash.
With a lack of match practice, and against a side recognised to be very good around their own track, it was a solid start for the new-look Comets side as they went down 48-42.
They were led well by their three most experienced riders – new number one Jonas Jeppeson (12), the returning Craig Cook (14) and skipper Troy Batchelor (7).
It enabled them to get to the last heat needing a 5-1 for a draw on the night but it was the Bears who raced to a 4-2 to finish with a six-point advantage to bring to Northside for the return.
After taking a 4-2 in the opening heat through their two new Danes, Jeppeson and Niklas Holm Jakobsen, the Comets then shared the next three races in which there were wins for Cook and Batchelor.
A 4-2 for the Bears in the fifth heat meant a third of the meeting had gone and the two sides were still level.
The Comets weren’t helped by a series of falls as the meeting developed with Jakobsen twice hitting the dirt, while Tate Zischke and new reserve Jamie Etherington also came off.
Vinnie Foord also had a fall in his final ride while Redcar only had four last places throughout the meeting.
But the Comets stuck doggedly to the task, particularly the heat leaders who scored all but nine of the team’s points.
They hung on in, never more than six points adrift – as they were at the end.
The former British champion Cook was particularly effective, winning four of his first five starts, but missing out completely in the final race of the night.
The former Workington rider Nicolai Klindt, who is a short-term replacement for the injured Charles Wright, top scored for the Bears with three wins in five rides and a 12-pointy total.
Otherwise it was solid support for the new number one through Jake Allen (9), Jordan Jenkins (7), Jason Edwards (7) and Jake Mulford (7).
The Comets don’t ride again until next Saturday when they host Scunthorpe, also in the BSN Series.
The individual scores were:
- Redcar Bears – Nicolai Klindt – 2, 3, 3, 1, 3 = 12; 2. Ace Pijper – 0, 1, 3, 0 = 4; 3. Jordan Jenkins – 2, 1, 3, 1′ = 7+1; 4. Jason Edwards – 1′, 3, 1, 2 = 7+1; 5. Jake Allen – 2, 1′, 2, 3, 1 = 9 +1; 6. Jake Mulford – 3, 2, 0, 2, 0 = 7; 7. Jody Scott – R, 1′, 1 = 2+1.
- Workington Comets – Jonas Jeppesen – 3, 2, 3, 2, 2 = 12; Niklas Holm Jakobsen – 1, F, F, 1 = 2; Craig Cook – 3, 3, 2, 3, 3, 0 = 14; Tate Zischke – FX, 0, 1′, 1 = 2+1; Troy Batchelor – 3, 2, 2, 0 = 7; Vinnie Foord – 2, 0, 2, F = 4; Jamie Etherington – 1′, F, 0 = 1+1.
