Great re-birth for the Comets

The Stellar Monarchs Academy were part of a great occasion this afternoon. At the new Workington venue, and in spite of the slightly disappointing scoreline of 37-53 in the Comets' favour, that is something that the large travelling support from Edinburgh will certainly remember for a long time.

Opening meetings do not always run smoothly but this one did, a tribute to the organisers and a pleasure for an excellent attendance to enjoy. Those who had previously been to the old Northside training facility were amazed that such a spacious and well appointed venue has been constructed in what had looked back then to be a rather smaller space.

Academy team manager Scott Wilson said "Naturally I'm very disappointed with the result, we've set ourselves higher standards than that this season. Having said that 16 points doesn't reflect how we rode or tell the story of the meeting.

"We had some misfortune, Dayle Wood was clear in heat two only for it to be pulled back with no warnings issued, then Kyran had bike trouble whilst on a 5-1 with Jacob in heat 4.

"Each of the boys had their moments with the top five all securing at least one win or paid win. But for the misfortunes mentioned earlier that might have been all seven.

"We lost our way and ran out of steam a little in the second half of the meeting. A special mention to the travelling Monarchs support, they were loud right from the track walk. It was fantastic to see so much support for the lads - thank you to all."

The Academy got off to a great start with a heat 1 5-1 for Kyle Bickley and Mickie Simpson over the very strong Comets' duo of Connor Bailey and Ace Pijper. It did not prove to be, however, an indicator of what was to come.

The scores were levelled in heat 2 in a restarted heat, followed by an excellent ride by Alex Spooner to beat the McGurks in heat 3. Adam Roynon, whose gating has been so sharp at Armadale, wasn't getting away well most of the afternoon but he did grab third with the first overtake on the new track.

There should have been another visiting 5-1 in heat 4. This was initially stopped as apparently Jacob Hook touched the tapes, and he went off 15 metres. Kyran Lyden then jetted from the start with Hook bursting through to join him, only for Kyran's machine to splutter late in the race and gift Luke Crang a second place.

Nevertheless the travelling fans must have been pretty optimistic at 10-14 after four heats.

The next four heats, though, turned things around. Bailey and Pijper regained their expected form with a heat 6 5-1, there were race wins for Sam McGurk and Luke Crang and another home 5-1 in heat 8.

Hook, Bickley and Roynon (making a gate at last in heat 14) had race wins during the second half of the match, but there were also three further home 5- 1s to stretch the Comets' advantage and top the day off perfectly for their fans, who have waited almost five years for such a day. They clearly have a side well worth supporting.

Scott Wilson added "There are certainly positives to take from the afternoon but we've left ourselves a lot to do to secure the bonus point."

Comets certainly got the weather for it too, though as we all know a warm summer afternoon meeting can be dusty!