Workington Comets recorded a 49-41 victory over Scunthorpe Scorpions, in an action packed thriller at the Northside Arena to open their home campaign.
The GT Tyres-sponsored Comets were quickly into their stride with a 5-1 in Heat 1 as Danish duo Jonas Jeppesen and Niklas Holm Jakobsen combined well, and further advantages from Craig Cook in Heat 3 saw the home side move into an early lead.
Troy Batchelor added a Heat 4 win to maintain that advantage as Workington looked settled in the opening exchanges.
Scunthorpe remained in touch, however, and reduced the gap before a Heat 8 5-1 to the visitors brought them right back into contention.
The meeting then swung further in their favour with another maximum in Heat 11, levelling the scores at 33-33 and setting up a tight closing run of races.
The Comets responded immediately after the interval in Heat 12, with Cook and guest Cooper Rushen combining for a 5-1 to restore a four-point lead.
That proved a key moment, and although the Scorpions kept pressure on with Pickering solid as ever, the Comets were able to manage the closing stages.
A decisive Heat 14 saw Tate Zischke and Rushen secure a 5-1 to extend the lead to six points heading into the final race.
With the Comets taking Heat 15, Jeppesen led the way, passing Pickering on the opening lap, with Cook backing up for third to secure the 4-2.
Cook and Jeppesen both finished on 12 points, leading the scoring for the Comets, with solid support throughout the side.
Batchelor added 7, while Zischke and Rushen both played important roles in the latter stages, particularly in the Heat 14 advantage which ultimately settled the meeting.
Jakobsen showed good speed on his home debut, despite some mid meeting mechanical issues, to contribute 5+1, while Jamie Etherington ultimately struggled at reserve but gained valuable laps and experience in his opening meeting at the GT Tyres Arena.
Temporary team boss Baz Collins said: “We started off great but credit to Scunthorpe for getting back in the meeting. During the interval some of the lads made some changes and it seemed to work out and we managed to pull the score back.
“It’s was our first competitive meeting on home shale and with the bad weather there hasn’t been much opportunity for them to practice, so today was a good run out and I feel the boys started to get their set-ups dialled in towards the end.”
“Craig and Jonas were brilliant, and Niklas had some bike issues but I was encouraged by some of his rides and no doubt when he gets them sorted we will see some big points from him.
“I would like to thank Cooper for his efforts today as well, as sometimes with guests – the commitment isn’t the same but he showed 110% effort throughout.
“We have Berwick next weekend home and away and I’m convinced now the lads have got some competitive laps under their belts and a setup to go with at home – it will be a much improved performance.”
West Cumbrian star Cook added: “My first two rides weren’t as good as what I expected, but we made a few changes and the bike started working.
“My last race race probably went a bit slicker and I took gate four and it was a bit of a graveyard, but I had a good race, felt like I had good speed towards the end of the meeting and the team got the win.”
- WORKINGTON 49: Jonas Jeppesen 12+1, Craig Cook 12, Cooper Rushen 8+2, Tate Zischke 6+1, Troy Batchelor 6, Niklas Holm Jakobsen 5+1, Jamie Etherington 0
- SCUNTHORPE 41: Josh Pickering 12, Ryan Ingram 6+1, Luke Harrison 5+2, Michael Palm Toft 5+1, Connor Mountain 5, Nathan Ablitt 4+2, Simon Lambert 4
