Diamonds sign off the season in superb style
NEWCASTLE Diamonds rounded off the season in some style at Byker yesterday, recording their biggest win, 62-29, over Workington before overcoming a determined Redcar side, 48-41, in the second match of the double-header.
And there seems, perhaps, a possibility of a Diamonds’ future when co-promoter George English told the crowd he hopes to be able to say within two weeks which way the club will be going.
He said: “At this moment, I am not saying we will not be running in 2018, but I am not saying we will be. We are working hard and talking to different people, and that’s all I can say right now.”
The Diamonds certainly avenged the home defeat by Workington the last time the Comets came calling, piling up their highest total of the season as Robert Lambert notched a full 15-point maximum and skipper Ludvig Lindgren a 12-point ‘full house’ from one fewer race.
Steve Worrall also won three races and finished second behind Lambert in his other two to record a paid 15-point maximum, while veteran Stuart Robson only missed out when beaten by Comets’ skipper Mason Campton in his final outing, the most exciting race of a poor contest.
The Comets, without British champion Craig Cook because of illness, were virtually outclassed as the Diamonds slammed home six 5-1 and six 4-2 advantages.
There was much better fare on offer when the Bears took to the track, using three racers, Aaron Summers, Max Clegg and James Sarjeant, from the previous match.
The Diamonds, obviously tiring somewhat from their earlier efforts, had a remarkable spell of biting the dust. Only Worrall was not a faller at some stage or other during the tight contest; he top-scored with 13.
Fortunately, despite the spectacular nature of their crashes, especially those of Lambert, Lindgren and Ashley Morris, all the Newcastle men appeared to escape serious injury as they came among the good-sized crowd at the end for autographs and selfies.