A winning start to the SGB Championship campaign was just what the doctor ordered for Workington Comets rider Adam Roynon.

Roynon’s eight points and one bonus on Saturday included a paid win and victory over Todd Kurtz which helped Comets beat Sheffield 54-37 at Derwent Park.

The Dalton racer has made the most of an injury-free winter to start the season strongly and he was still savouring the result yesterday.

He said: “It was great to get the season off to a winning start, as is key every year.

“We were faced with tough opposition which made it hard but they were slightly weakened and we just managed to capitalise.

“Everyone in the team performed how they should have done. We’ve set out our stall for the season really early.

“It was good to get off to a start like that, that’s what you build for all winter and when it all comes together like that it’s definitely a relief.

“The track was really good, the weather was decent and when the fans come out in their numbers like that it makes you ride that little bit harder.”

Comets entertain Scunthorpe on Saturday and, despite the Scorpions’ stuttering start to the season, Roynon insisted they won’t be taken lightly.

He said: “It’s a tough one, there are no certainties in speedway. You can’t say this team is going to do well or this one is going to do rubbish.

“We’ll just be doing exactly what we did in the meeting just gone and racing for every point.”

Meanwhile, Matt Williamson was involved in a nasty smash at Scunthorpe while guesting after a paid win in his first ride. The Comets reserve was catapulted over the airfence but was luckily able to walk away without injury.

And fellow reserve Rob Shuttleworth followed his home Comets debut on Saturday with an impressive 10 points in the Pride of the Potteries meeting at Stoke.

Youngster Kyle Bickley, of Workington, who has committed to ride for Comets next season, scored eight points on his National League debut in that meeting.