Workington Comets have a tough task on their hands tonight when they take on League champions Poole Pirates at Wimborne Road.
After a month without a competitive meeting, the Comets suffered back-to-back Cab Direct Championship defeats at the weekend.
Despite a nightmare start and the loss of Niklas Holm Jakobsen to injury, Workington gave a spirited showing at Redcar Bears on Friday and were just edged out by 46 points to 44.
There was a quick turnaround as they hosted Poole at the GT Tyres Arena, Northside the following evening and were beaten 51-39 .
The visitors won ten of the first 11 heats before home number one Jonas Jeppesen and Tate Zischke claimed two heat wins apiece in the final four outings to salvage some pride. Jeppesen was his side’s top scorer on the evening with 12 points.
Manager James Denham said: “We got beaten by the better team and we need to improve.”
The Comets will again be without Jakobsen who — as on Saturday — will be replaced at reserve by Mitchell Cluff.
However, Zischke heads to Dorset in great form having scored 8+2 for Belle Vue in their Premiership win at Kings Lynn on Monday evening.
Comets skipper Batchelor was also in action in the top flight and came away from Northampton’s thrilling 45-45 draw against Sheffield with a morale-boosting 11+1 point haul for the Foxes.
Drew Kemp will also go into Wednesday’s meeting in rude health. Recent Workington signing Kemp was one of four riders to book their place at next month’s British Final by qualifying on his former home track at Leicester in a semi-final on Sunday.
Vinnie Foord missed that qualifier due to injury but has even declared fit to face his former side Poole this week.
The Pirates go into the midweek meeting unchanged and high in confidence.
Talented British teenager Will Cairns also secured his spot at the British Final on Sunday, just hours after he had bagged a 12-point haul with a highly impressive display against the Comets.
Former Workington rider Luke Harrison, who scored 6+1 on Saturday, again comes in as guest to replace Fraser Bowes at reserve.
Pirates co-promoter Dan Ford said: “Coming back from Scunthorpe and Workington with three points under our belt was impressive. Both places are tough ones to go to, and to be unbeaten from this was something quite special.
“We now have to consolidate those results by making Wimborne Road a fortress, but as I so often remind everyone, we cannot ever be too complacent.
“We will be looking for an all-round team effort again and mark our return to home racing, after what seems an absolute age, with a solid performance.
“There are three league points on offer. We secure all three and we will certainly be breathing down the necks of the leading two sides, Glasgow and Scunthorpe.”
WORKINGTON GT TYRES COMETS: 1. Jonas Jeppesen (8.50), 2. Vinnie Foord (3.40), 3. Drew Kemp (7.79), 4. Tate Zischke (6.00), 5. Troy Batchelor (C) (7.32), 6. Mitch Cluff (GUEST – 3.00) , 7. Max Perry (2.82). Team Manager: Barry Collins.
POOLE WESSEX MARINE PIRATES: 1. Richard Lawson (9.45), 2. William Cairns (5.08), 3. Lewis Kerr (7.38), 4. Cooper Rushen (6.17), 5. Zach Cook (C) (7.30), 6. Luke Harrison (G) (5.05), 7. Kyle Newman (4.91). Team Manager: Neil Middleditch.
