Last updated at 13:25, Saturday, 11 August 2012

Plymouth 45 Workington Comets 45: Workington suffered more last race agony as they shared the spoils on their long distance trek to Plymouth.

Rene Bach

A 5-1 in the final race of the night meant the Devils scrambled a draw after they had been in danger of spoiling their recent four-match home winning run.

Comets team manager Tony Jackson said: “I think overall we will be a lot happier than Plymouth. We went home with two points – one for the trip down and one for the return journey!

“I really did think we were capable of winning it when we went into heat 14 with a four-point lead. I thought Kenny Ingalls was capable of winning it.

“But their Ben Reed got a great start and although Kenny tried everything he couldn’t get past and we had to settle for a 3-3 and a share of the spoils.

“It meant we went into the last race with a chance but Ben Barker and Ryan Fisher are practically unbeaten round there and it was always going to be tough.”

Mason Campton emerged as Workington’s top rider, scoring ten points and three bonus points, building on the excellent display at Derwent Park which earned him huge respect from the Comets fans.

Team manager Jackson said: “That was a remarkable effort by a young man who is making his way in the sport. I am just so pleased that he did so well and continued from where he had left off last week.”

The Comets only had four race winners so did remarkably well to finish level at the end of 15 heats.

They also had only four last places which was the key to them returning home with two points which maintained their challenge in the Premier League.

It was Campton who fired the Comets into action after they had conceded a 5-1 in the opener.

The Glasgow reserve won the second heat of the night, followed in by Ashley Morris, to put the sides level.

On the tight Plymouth track there wasn’t much between the sides throughout after that. The Devils briefly led by four points but a big finish by the Comets appeared to have pouched them to victory.

Rene Bach and Morris produced a 5-1 and then Adam Roynon and Richard Lawson eked-out a 4-2 to put Workington 41-37 ahead with just two races left.

“We always feared Barker and Fisher together in the last because they are virtually unbeatable around Plymouth.

“But we thought heat fourteen was where we could win it., Unfortunately for us they brought in Ben Reade as a reserve change and he rode brilliantly to hold-off all we could offer.

“That left us looking for a shared heat in the last to win the match but it was always going to be very tough with their record around their home track.”

The Comets continue their Premier League programme tonight (7pm) against Scunthorpe and will have Carl Wilkinson guesting for the injured Kyle Howarth.

Jan Graversen has been booked for Monday’s match at Rye House.

PLYMOUTH 45: Ryan Fisher 14, Ben Barker 11+1, Cory Gathercole 9, Ben Reade 6, Todd Kurtz 5+1, James Holder 0, James White Williams 0

WORKINGTON COMETS 45: Mason Campton 10+3, Rene Bach 8+1, Adam Roynon 8, Richard Lawson 6, Tero Aarnio 5+2, Kenny Ingalls 5+1, Ashley Morris 3+2

First published at 10:53, Saturday, 11 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk