Injury-hit Workington Comets produced a gritty display to beat Berwick Bandits 48-42 in the second leg of their Knockout Cup clash at Northside.
It wasn’t anywhere near enough to turn round the 26 points deficit from Saturday’s defeat but it was a bold effort under the circumstances.
They were forced to go with just four of their own riders; two guests and use rider replacement for Craig Cook.
New number one Jonas Jeppeson led from the front against his former club and produced a brilliant side ride maximum of 18 points.
New team-mates, skipper Troy Batchelor (12) and Tate Zischke (11) backed him up well so that the Comets ended with 11 heat wins.
Using rider replacement for the absent Cook earned nine points with wins for Jeppesen, Zischke and Batchelor and only Wood missed out without scoring.
Unfortunately they only led to five heat advantages and the four gained by the Bandits were enough for them to maintain a handy lead overall.
Edinburgh rider Mitchell Cluff was brought in as a guest for Niklas Holm Jakobsen at number two and he picked up two second places in his four rides while reserve guest Dayle Wood won heat two but then couldn’t add another point to his tally.
Young reserve Jamie Etherington continues to struggle to adapt and a fall in his opening race didn’t help.
The Berwick scoring was solid without being spectacular and was led by ex-Comet Peter Kildemand (10) while last season’s Workington rider Jye Etheridge was one of three Bandits who picked-up seven points.
Workington Comets 48 (80)
1. Jonas Jeppesen – 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 = 18
2. Mitchell Cluff (G) – 0, 2′, 2, 0 = 4+1
3. Craig Cook R/R – (JJ – 3, DW – 0, TB – 3, TZ – 3 = 9)
4. Tate Zischke – 1, 3, 2′, 3, 2 = 11+1
5. Troy Batchelor – 3, 2, 3, 2, 1, 1 = 12
6. Dayle Wood (G) – 3, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 = 3
7. Jamie Etherington – F, 0, 0 = 0
Berwick Bandits 42 (100)
1. Peter Kildemand – 1′, 2, 3, 2, 2 = 10+1
2. Jye Etheridge – 2, 1′, 3, 1, 0 = 7+1Injury-hit
3. Victor Palovaara – 2, 1, 2, 2 = 7
4. Lasse Fredriksen – 0, 3, 1′, 3 = 7+1
5. Nick Morris – 2, 1, 1, 0 = 4
6. Jack Smith – 1′, 0, 0, 1′ = 2+2
7. Jordy Loftus (G) – 2, 1′, 1, 1 = 5+1
