Workington Comets held on for a narrow 46-44 victory over Scunthorpe Scorpions last night.
It was yet another last heat decider but this time the final outcome went in the Comets favour, even though the visitors took a 4-2.
The Scorpions needed a 5-1 to force a draw but Jonas Jeppesen got between their pair on the second lap and stayed there to make sure of the victory.
It was a good result under the circumstances for the Comets as, not for the first time this season, they were down to five riders.
Craig Cook had dropped out on Friday and the Comets went with the rider replacement facility.
But there were more problems when Niklas Holm Jakobsen took a bad spill in heat six and had to be withdrawn from the meeting.
With Jeppesen riding after a knock in Denmark on Wednesday which kept him out of Northampton’s Thursday meeting the Comets number one was not 100%.
On top of that reserve Vinnie Foord was coming back after a long injury absence and was race riding for the first time in weeks.
Yet somehow the Comets got the job done, if only just after conceding a 5-1 in the very first heat.
They fought back well but could never get more than six points clear as the Scorpions kept clawing them back.
Crucially they held the lead until they had a four points advantage going into the last and despite another fine ride from Scunthorpe number one Josh Pickering, it wasn’t enough to prise the win away from the home side.
Pickering collected a paid maximum from his five rides, with four wins and a second and had best support from ex-Comet Luke Harrison.
Workington, who managed nine points from rider replacement, were well served by their main men Jeppesen (13), Tate Zishcke (11 + 2) and Troy Batchelor (11 + 1).
There was also a solid contribution by new reserve Max Perry (7 + 2) while the returning Foord was delighted to get a win in his first outing, although he was unable to add to that throughout the meeting.
Workington Comets 46
- Jonas Jeppesen – 0, 3, 3, 3, 2, 2 = 13
- Niklas Holm Jakobsen – 1, Fx Withdrawn = 1
- Craig Cook – R/R (JJ-3, VF-0, TB-3, TZ-3) = 9
- Tate Zishcke – 2′, 2, 2′, 3, 2 = 11+2
- Troy Batchelor – 3, 3, 3, 1, 1′, 0 = 11+1
- Vinnie Foord – 3, 0, 0, 0, R = 3
- Max Perry – 1, 2′, 2, 0, 1, 1′ = 7+2
Scunthorpe Scorpions 44
- Josh Pickering – 3, 3, 2′, 3, 3 = 14+1 Â
- Connor Mountain – 2′, 1, 1, 3 = 7+1
- Nathan Ablitt – 0, 1′, 1′, 0 = 2+2
- Luke Harrison – 1, 2, 2, 3, 1 = 9
- Michael Palm Toft – 1, 2, 1, X = 4
- Ryan Ingram – 2, 1′, 0, 0 = 3+1
- Ace Pijper (G) – 0, 0, 3, 2, 0 = 5
