Workington Comets hold off Oxford Cheetahs

Workington Comets successfully held off a strong challenge from Oxford Cheetahs to register another home win in the Championship.

They hadn’t wrapped up the win ahead of the last heat but anything except a 5-1 to the visitors would deliver the points.

In fact the Comets managed a 4-2 heat advantage to wrap up a 48-42 scoreline in a meeting they were always in front.

They had a ten point lead after only five heats but by heat 13 the Cheetahs had hauled their way back to within two points and the result might have been in doubt.

However two 4-2 advantages to round-off the meeting ensured the Comets won, and have six points in hand to take to Oxford for the return on Wednesday, August 12.

Three of the Workington sextet were in double figures as skipper Troy Batchelor (14), Jonas Jeppesen (13) and Tate Zischke (10) led the way. Usuing rider replacement for the absent Craig Cook realised ten points with the top three scorers all winning their extra ride.

It was a new line-up for the Comets after the averages changed and Vinnie Foord, moving up to two scored three with Niklas Holm Jakobsen switching with him to pick up four points, including a first race win, at reserve.

Max Perry, who filled the other reserve role had a second and two thirds to show for his efforts.

The Comets won 10 of the heats and restricted Oxford to just four heat advantages.

Workington will ride at home again next Saturday when Glasgow travel south but that’s the only Championship meeting left in June.

Workington Comets 48

1. Jonas Jeppesen – 3, 3, 1, 3, 0, 3  = 13
2. Vinnie Foord – 1, 0, 2, 0    = 3
3. Craig Cook RR (JJ 3, NHJ 1′, TB 3, TZ 3   = 10+1)
4. Tate Zischke – 1, 2, 1, 3, 3  = 10
5. Troy Batchelor – 3, 3, 3, 2, 2, 1  = 14
6. Niklas Holm Jakobsen – 3, 1′, 0, 0  = 4+1
7. Max Perry – 2′, 1, 0, Fx, 1  = 4+1

Oxford Cheetahs 42

1. Sam Masters – R, 3, 3, 3, 2  = 11
2. Luke Killeen RR ( EK 2, DR 0, MM 3  = 5)
3. Anders Rowe – 2, 2, 1′, 1′  = 6+2
4. Edward Kennett – 2, 0, 1′, 2, 2  = 7+1
5. Mitch McDiarmid – 2, 2′, 3, 0, 1, 1, M  = 9+1
6. Darryl Ritchings – 1, 0, 2, 2, 0   = 5
7. Dayle Wood – 0, 0, 3, 1, 0  = 4