Last updated at 08:04, Friday, 31 July 2009

WORKINGTON Comets retained their Premier League Fours title with a commanding performance at Derwent Park on Saturday night.

TOP FOURS: The winning team (front) Adrian Rymel, Andre Compton and Kevin Doolan with (back) Richard Lawson and John Branney, and owner Keith Denham

More than 3,000 spectators were in attendance to see Kevin Doolan, Adrian Rymel, Andre Compton and Richard Lawson win their semi-final group, and then clinch overall victory with two races of the final still remaining.

In a night of thrilling action, Compton won all five of his races while Rymel dropped just one point as Workington kept hold of the trophy for a second successive year.

Comets owner Keith Denham said: “It was a good night and we got what we wanted. We got a better turn-out than last year and everything bubbled along nicely.

“The place was heaving, the stand was full by 6.15pm, and we had to make special room in the car park for the supporters’ coaches from places like Edinburgh and Redcar.”

But just less than 18 hours after the culmination of the Fours, ecstasy had turned to disappointment as Comets crashed 62-28 at Newcastle in a league fixture.

Denham said: “The best team won on Sunday. I don’t know whether it was winning blues, but it was the worst result for years.

“It’s hard because the track was all right and everyone does their own favourite moves, but they didn’t read the track correctly so we were punished.”

The defeat also came with an additional blow, as Lawson dislocated his shoulder and is doubtful for tomorrow’s home fixture against the same opposition.

Whether he makes the team or not, Workington will still be employing the services of Edinburgh’s Ryan Fisher as a guest at No3.

The American, who impressed with 15 points at Derwent Park last month but not with his wheelie celebration, is required in the absence of Rymel, who is riding for the Czech Republic, and Charles Wright, who continues to be sidelined by injury.

Meanwhile, Denham also revealed he has received an approach from Elite League side Eastbourne Eagles to use Workington asset Daniel Nermark for the remainder of the season.

Nermark chose to reduce his schedule at the start of this term, riding only in Poland and his native Sweden.

But he could now be set to join the south coast side on loan from Workington.

Denham said: “Eastbourne’s team manager got in contact with me and I said if they wanted to approach him then it was okay.

“Daniel has decided he wants to come back to British racing and I think he’s wanting to get back in next season, so we need to know what his intentions are for then.”

Tomorrow’s league clash with Newcastle Diamonds gets under way at 7pm at Derwent Park.

First published at 19:30, Thursday, 30 July 2009
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk