Last updated 13:19, Wednesday, 27 August 2008

Fuming Workington Comets boss Keith Denham slammed his team after an abject surrender of their unbeaten home record to Berwick Bandits.

The Comets in action against Berwick

He said the manner of the runaway 51-42 defeat on Monday was totally unacceptable and a dismal way to give away a proud unbeaten record.

Comets looked a beaten side from very early in the contest.

Denham, right, said: “I thought Berwick were up for it from the word go and they competed as a team from start to finish. They out-rode us in every aspect and fully deserved their victory.

“I’m afraid we were awful and unfortunately I think too many of our riders were beaten before the start. They seemed to be affected more by the rain that had fallen during the day rather than the actual state of the track.

“Berwick, with their attitude and determination, showed how it should be ridden and they made us look very poor indeed.

“I don’t think there is any doubt that we have a better team than Berwick but it didn’t look that way on Monday. Needless to say I was bitterly disappointed,” he said.

Denham also revealed how Berwick’s Italian reserve Guglielmo Franchetti had sought him out after the meeting to put his name down for any future guest bookings!

“My son-in-law is Italian so he was translating for me. Basically Guglielmo was saying that he thought Derwent Park was the best track he’d ridden on in England; it was similar to what he is used to on the continent and if we ever needed a guest at home he would be delighted to accept a booking.”

Franchetti, with 14 points and Michael Makovsky (16) were the Berwick spearheads as they completed a double, following Saturday’s 48-41 win at Shielfield.

Comets team manager Ian Thomas said: “I’ve never been as disappointed after a speedway meeting for a long time.

“It was a very long journey home. We were our-gated and out-ridden all night and second-best all over the place.

“I think the absence of Daniel Nermark as our number one spearhead is starting to tell.

“We have been able to cover reasonably well up to now but the two meetings against Berwick I think would have been a bit different with Nermark in the side.

“What we have to do is put that result behind us as quickly as possible and move on. Three home wins in the matches that are left will put us into the League play-offs.

“We are already through to the semi-finals of the Knockout Cup and have won both the Pairs and the Fours – so it has been a good season already, which could get even better.

“Daniel is due to practice in Sweden today (Wednesday) and if he comes through that ok will be riding tomorrow night in a Swedish League match.”

“ If he is happy with how he’s gone there he will be back riding at Derwent Park on Saturday and that should give us a much needed fillip.”