Stoke 48 Workington 42

 STOKE Easy Rider Potters got back to winning ways as they gained a 48-42 victory over the Workington Comets in the Premier League at Loomer Road on Sunday evening, but they only take two points as the Comets gain a point after only losing by six points.

 The Potters went in front with maximum points in the opening heat from guest Jason Lyons and Michal Rajkowski who took a comfortable victory from Andre Compton and Richard Lawson who fell on the final lap after leading the race early on before Lyons went around him and Rajkowski went under him to give Stoke a 5-1 lead.

 The Comets struck back as former Stoke Spitfires rider John Branney and Craig Cook rode side by side and produced some superb team riding to keep Taylor Poole at bay for the whole four laps as the youngster tried every inch of the Loomer Road circuit in an attempt to pass the Comets duo with Lee Smart tailed off at the back after his seat broke at the starting gate as Workington level the scores up a 6 all. The Comets gained their second maximum heat win on the bounce as Peter Kildermand took an easy victory Chris Schramm battled with home rider Ricky Wells as they pass and re-pass each other before Schramm and Wells hit the third bend on the final lap together Wells hitting the safety fence as Schramm goes on to take second place with Poole in third as referee Jim Lawrence deeming Wells went down on his own, the Comets opening up a four point lead after three heats.

 Stoke strike back with two heat advantages of their own in heats four and five, with Lee Smart making his debut took a comfortable victory from Branney after the Comet dived up the inside of Hynek Stichauer to take second place for a Potters 4-2 heat win and then Smart made it two wins in successive heats as he and fellow reserve Taylor Poole who replaced Wells after he touched the tapes took maximum points over Richard Lawson and Andre Compton to take maximum points and give the Potters 1 16-14 lead after five heats.

The Potters extend their lead in heat seven as Smart gains his third victory on the night as he blasts around the outside of everyone to hit the front and hold off the challenge of Kildermand with Stichauer holding Schramm at bay for third place to extend Stoke’s lead to four points.

 The Comets reduced the deficit to two points as Craig Cook managed to get the better of Rajkowski to take victory the two riders battling hard for victory Branney taking third place after Poole fell while attempting to go round Branney at the end of the opening lap as Stoke lead 25-23 after eight races. Workington level the scores in heat nine as Cook and Harrison make the start Smart though tries every inch of the circuit before cutting back up the inside off the final turn to pass Harrison on the line to split the Comets pairing.

 The scores remain level as both teams attempt to get their noses in front and the Potters did just that in heat fourteen as Taylor Poole gained victory from Kildermand with Smart holding Branney at bay for a 4-2 heat advantage as Stoke lead going into the final heat 43-41.

 The Potters complete the victory as youngster Poole and veteran Jason Lyons take a comfortable 5-1 over Chris Schramm and Craig Cook to give the Potters their first league of the season with a 48-42 victory.

 Debutant Lee Smart said “I’m really pleased with my performance tonight, I was a bit nervous at the start and really disappointed when the seat bracket came loose at the starting gate in my first ride but then things went really well for me from then. I’m really pleased to be back here at Stoke I’ve enjoyed it here when I’ve been here before and I get on with Dave, Nigel and Malcolm and the spirit here is great and I’m looking forward to continuing where I’ve left off tonight, I’m here for the season and I’m going to enjoy it and score as many points as I possibly can because I want to win.”

 Taylor Poole said “I struggled early on I had a clutch problem and just could not get out the starts, but Jason Lyons helped me out with the problem and in my last two rides everything came together, you have to take each ride as it comes and keep pushing harder in each race. Lee Smart had a good meeting for us tonight and it was really good for us to get our home league season off to a winning start and we now have to look to continue that and improve, there’s nothing like going around a place with supporters cheering you when you’ve won and I want more of that.” 

Stoke 48: Lee Smart 13+1, Jason Lyons 13+1, Taylor Poole 10+3, Hynek Stichauer 6, Michal Rajkowski 4+2, Ricky Wells 2, Klaus Jakobsen (Rider Replacement)

 Workington 42: Craig Cook 12+2, Chris Schramm 8+1, Peter Kildermand 8+1, John Branney 6, Andre Compton 4, Rusty Harrison 3, Richard Lawson 1