WORKINGTON COMETS 2010
 SPONSORED BY THE THOMAS ARMSTRONG GROUP
                    AND NEW TEAM PARTNERS
             PRESS RELEASE No 15 – April 6th
 
WORKINGTON Comets will have four representatives in the British semi-finals next month.
 
Chris Schramm will be riding on his former track at King’s Lynnon May 12 while Andre Compton also returns to his former track at Sheffieldfor his semi-final on May 6.
 
Also included in the Sheffieldline-up will be Workington’s Adam Roynon while young second string Richard Lawson has been included as a meeting reserve.
 
The initial release from the BSPA had Richard Lawson in the Sheffieldmeting with no mention of Adam Roynon.
 
But team manager Ian Thomas said: “We had been told that Andre, Chris and Adam would be involved while Richard was on stand-by as a reserve at the Sheffieldmeeting.”
 
King’s Lynnboss Keith Chapman says he is excited by the line-up named for the event at the Norfolk Arena.
 
He said: “This is probably the best line-up I have seen here for any
individual meeting in the past few seasons.
 
“There are no less than five full time Elite League riders, three King’s Lynntrack specialists and eight other top riders from the Premier League.”
 
Schramm, who rode for the Stars last year, will be competing against two former Comets in Simon Stead and Joe Haines.
 
The full line-up at King’s Lynnis: Lee Richardson, Chris Harris, Edward Kennett, Lewis Bridger, Simon Stead, James Grieves, Leigh Lanham, Chris Schramm, Joe Haines, Ben Wilson, Chris Mills, Jason King, Ben Wilson, Carl Wilkinson, Paul Clews, Luke Bowen.
 
The Sheffieldline-up is: Scott Nicholls, Tai Woffinden, Ricky Ashworth, David Howe, Andre Compton, Daniel King, Josh Auty, Richard Lawson, Adam Roynon, Richard Hall, Andrew Tully, Oliver Allen, Ben Barker, William Lawson, Robert Mear, Jordan Frampton, Jason Bunyan.
 
The draw will be made on Wednesday night for their event during King’s Lynn’s meeting with Rye House – and Sheffieldwill make their draw on Thursday for the Owlerton semi-final.
 
Meanwhile Workington Comets are re-grouping after slipping to two defeats against Berwick Bandits in the Premier Trophy. The home and away reversals follow a Comets’ double success in Challenge matches against Redcar.
Team manger Ian Thomas said: “Naturally I’m disappointed to have lost the opening two competitive fixtures, but I’m not devastated.
 
 “The very nature of the side we have put together suggested it would take a little time for everyone to bed-in and get back in the groove, and I think that’s proving to be the case.”
 
Although Workington lost their unbeaten record in the first Trophy match, it was an outstanding meeting – a point underlined by Thomas.
 
He said: “It was an absolute cracker and I think it was the best we’ve had at Derwent Park for up to two years.
 
“I don’t think there’s any doubt that if we could put on entertainment like that throughout speedway week to week, gates all over the place would soar.
 
“Just imagine someone calling in at DerwentParkfor the first time last Friday and seeing that served-up. They would be asking where the next speedway meeting was so they could have some more of it.
 
“When speedway comes together like that there’s nothing wrong with the product.”
 
Workington also have back-to-back action this week-end when they host Newcastle Diamonds at Derwent Park on Saturday before travelling to Brough Park for Sunday’s return.
 
“This is going to be a tester for us as Newcastle have opened in terrific form, despite a surprise defeat at home to Glasgow. Their away form has been impressive and you can see why a lot of people have tipped them to win the League.
 
“I think it’s important, after the Berwick set-back, for our guys to put in two telling performances to make amends.
 
“What we really want at Derwent Park is the same sort of meeting as we had against Berwick – but with us snatching the one-point win,” said Thomas.