Last updated at 12:04, Monday, 13 June 2011

Workington Comets 59 Leicester Lions 31: Workington Comets continued their title challenge and unblemished home record as they overcame a disappointing Leicester side 59-31.

Gary Irving

Despite still missing captain Tomas Topinka, each Comet recorded at least one victory each and combated Leicester’s tactical rides well meaning they didn’t score any double points.

Leicester were using rider replacement for injured captain Richard Hall and also included former Comet Charles Wright in their line up just over a week after being released from Workington.

The meeting got underway 10 minutes late after heavy rain two hours before the meeting put it in jeopardy.

When they did get underway it was a slow start for the Comets.

The riders were held for a long time at the tapes in heat one and although more than one rider moved before the tapes went up it was Richard Lawson who won by a country mile and was far enough ahead even to make a slight mistake at the end of the second lap to keep his lead.

Workington’s reserve pairing of Kenny Ingalls and Gary Irving gated in the next heat to secure the first of six heat maximums despite a few hairy moments as the track conditions were proving difficult.

Leicester got their only heat advantage of the night in heat three, Rusty Harrison chasing Richard Sweetman hard but couldn’t find a way past.

Ingalls won a shared fourth heat fighting well to get out in front and then leading to the finish before Comets started to take control of the meeting.

Lawson rode hard round the second bend to hold off Jan Graversen which also allowed Harrison through into second.

In the sixth heat the Comets riders found themselves both at the back before both going wither side of Graversen down the back straight of the second lap before James Wright chased down his brother Charles and passed him down the home straight at the end of the third lap.

Peter Kildemand led from the start in heat seven but got out of sorts at the end of the first lap which let Irving through.

The Dane did the same at the end of the second lap letting Sweetman through but re-passed him down the back straight of the last lap to take second.

Lawson was excluded in the next heat for exceeding the two minute time allowance after problems with his steel shoe and was replaced by Irving.

Graversen was quick from the gate and although Ingalls chased hard he never got close enough to pass.

Leicester, 30-18 down at this stage, decided to put Sweetman out on a tactical ride but he was left at the back with Charles Wright gating but he was passed up the inside by Harrison on the first bend of the third lap.

Sweetman was then excluded under the two minute rule with John Oliver taking his place.

James Wright and Lawson looked easy out in front with Oliver doing well to get off the track after falling heavily on the fourth bend of the second lap.

Leicester then decided to use their second tactical ride but it proved as useful as the first with Sergey Darkin left at the back as Kildemand took the win flying round the outside of Graversen on the fourth bend of the second lap.

Comets then decided to ram home their already large advantage Harrison winning a shared heat 12, fighting well round the first two bends to keep Sweetman behind him for the win.

James Wright then got a flyer in heat 13 and Kildemand went up the inside of Darkin for a heat maximum before Harrison and Irving team rode well to give Comets their sixth 5-1 of the night.

James Wright took the victory in the nominated heat after Irving was crowded out at the start to put Comets back at the top of the table three points clear of Ipswich.

Workington’s return match with the Lions yesterday was called off due to heavy rain.

WORKINGTON COMETS 59: James Wright 12, Richard Lawson 9+1, Rider replacement for Tomas Topinka, Rusty Harrison 12+2, Peter Kildemand 7+2, Gary Irving 10+2, Kenny Ingalls 9

LEICESTER LIONS 31: Sergey Darkin 3, Jan Graversen 8+2, Richard Sweetman 8, Iliya Bondarenko 4+1, Rider replacement for Richard Hall, Charles Wright 6+1, John Oliver 2

First published at 11:28, Monday, 13 June 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk