Narrow defeat for Workington Comets

Workington Comets slipped to a narrow defeat at home to Plymouth Gladiators with the meeting going to another last heat decider.

Conceding a 5-1 to miss out at Edinburgh on Friday this time the Comets shared the spoils in heat 15 so lost the meeting 45-43.

Yet Workington had 10 race winners during the afternoon and the fact they only managed three heat advantages tells the story.

Once again the Comets management had to come up with two guest riders at reserve, and although Mitchell Cluff won heat two he could only manage another second while rookie Mickie Simpson failed to score.

Lincolnshire-based Simpson had no previous Championship experience and despite his novice status was not off the pace and will get another opportunity next Friday at Glasgow.

The Comets are desperate to get Vinnie Foord fit again, but that isn’t likely until next although new signing Max Perry will be back from his Longtrack commitments to resume at Glasgow on Friday.

Skipper Troy Batchelor and number one Jonas Jeppesen both scored 12 points while Tate Zischke was also in double figures (10) so plenty of points from the powerhouse of the team.

Danish number two Niklas Holm Jakobsen is still feeling his way back from injury and has had mechanical issues, but he did manage four points and a bonus.

Plymouth have plenty of experience in their side, however, and got over the finish line with their best contributions from two of the experienced riders in Danny King (10) and Scott Nicholls (9)

 There was never more than three points between the two sides throughout the whole meeting – and that was in Comets favour after 10 heats.

Predicted to be a closely contested affair that’s exactly how it panned out but once again it was Comets who came out on the wrong end of a last heat decider.

Workington Comets 43

1. Jonas Jeppesen – 3, 3, R, 3, R, 3 = 12
2. Niklas Holm Jakobsen – 0, R, 2, 1’, 1 = 4+1
3. Craig Cook R/R
4. Tate Zischke – 2, 2’, FX, 3, 3, 0 = 10+1
5. Troy Batchelor – 3, 3, 3, 2, 1 = 12
6. Mitchell Cluff (G) – 3, 0, 2, R, 0 = 5
7. Mickie Simpson (G) – 0, 0, X = 0

Plymouth Gladiators 45

1. Danny King – 2, FX, 3, 3, 2 = 10
2. Joe Thompson – 1’, 1, 0 = 2+1
3. Daniel Klima – 3, 1’, 2, 2 = 8+1
4. Ben Barker – 1, 2, 0, 1’ = 4+1
5. Scott Nicholls – 1’, 3, 2, 2’, 1’ = 9+3
6. Anze Grmek – 2, 2, 3, FX, 2 = 9
7. Tom Spencer – 1’, 1, FX, 1’ = 3+2

You can hear below what team manager James Denham thought of the team’s performance and prospects going forward: