MATCH REPORT: Injuries strike Comets

Report by Pete Barnes, Photos by Arthur Lawrence

The long awaited clash between the Poole / Trent Comets and rivals from across the New Forest,the Southampton Saints, saw the hosts minus the sidelined Kenzie Bennett who had aggravated an injury the previous weekend in Poland. Then Aaron Smith, after winning the opening heat from newly crowned European Junior Individual Champion Leon Penketh,suffered a heavy fall just three races later and was forced to withdraw from the meeting. In addition Polish International Greg Gluchowski was clearly “under the weather” with a virus but the Comets managed to restrict the visitors lead to a single point at the halfway stage with Will Bristowe and Fez Langoo each involved in heat wins. However Penketh and Tom Colling were impressive for the visitors and incurred the major damage. As racing resumed the Saints gradually increased their lead with two 6 – 4 heat wins from George Whale and Gavin Wheeler in addition too Penketh and JJ Wildman but maximum scores from the penultimate and final races gave them an overall 15 point advantage.

Another excellent afternoon of racing at Harbourside Park with Southampton the worthy victors.

Poole / Trent 82.
Aaron Smith 4, Fez Langoo 12, Greg Gluchowski 11, Aaron Laing 9, Will Bristowe 17, Oliver Saunders 8, Josh Nottle 12, Alan Nation 6

Southampton 97.
JJ Wildman 11, Leon Penketh 19, Tom Colling 19, Sonny Whale 9, Gavin Wheeler 14, George Whale 15, Maddie Saunders 7, Joe Gillespie 3