Speedway By John Walsh

Last updated 12:21, Monday, 23 June 2008

Workington's recent signing Tomi Reima has had to return to Finland because of a family health problem.

The Comets had booked the Buxton Hitmen teenager Jack Roberts for Saturday’s Premier League match against Glasgow Tigers.

However, the meeting was subsequently called-off at lunch-time because of the heavy rain.

With more rain forecast for most of the day there was little chance of the meeting going ahead and it has been re-arranged for Saturday, August 9.

Workington team manager Ian Thomas is hopeful of the popular Finn returning to the Comets line-up.

Thomas explained: “When we first talked to Tomi about coming over to Britain he had to first of all make arrangements for health care for his six-year-old daughter.

“He had been assisting his wife which meant they had to get in somebody else to do that while Tomi was in England.

“The person that they got to do the care work has now had to give back word so he has gone home to help out until someone else can be found.

“We are very hopeful that someone else will be recruited so that Tomi can return to Workington. He had been doing an excellent job for us at number two.”

Workington had booked the exciting teenager Roberts at No 2 for the clash with the Tigers but he was saved the trip north by the noon postponement.

Thomas said: “I used to watch him going round Belle Vue when I was there and he looked promising then. He’s come on a lot since then and last week-end was close to an 18-point maximum for the Hitmen.

“He shed a chain while out in front and then proceeded to win his next five rides. I know he’s signed for Birmingham and Graham Drury thinks he’s a star of the future.”

Saturday’s postponement means that most of the Workington riders will be having a fortnight's break because it is the British Grand Prix next Saturday and the Comets don't have any midweek fixtures.

Daniel Nermark and Kauko Nieminen, however, will be representing the Comets in the Premier League Best Pairs at Somerset on Friday, the eve of the GP in Cardiff.