Diamonds set to have their Work cut out

NEWCASTLE Diamonds, finalists in last year’s Knockout Cup competition, have a tough job on their hands if they want to progress that far this season.

This weekend they must overcome Workington Comets on aggregate over back-to-back legs in the first round.

There’s also an added incentive for both sides to do well as the usual early-season track battle for the Ian Thomas Shield has been co-opted into these clashes.

The trophy will be awarded to the winning side on aggregate after the second leg in Byker tomorrow (6.30pm).

Newcastle team boss George English, delighted at lifting the Tyne Tweed Trophy last weekend, would love to see his men get their hands on the Shield, saying: “We won the first staging of it in 2013, but the Comets have held it since then, and it is time it came home.

“Of course, getting into the next round of the Knockout Cup and meeting the holders Glasgow again in a repeat of last year’s final is uppermost in our thoughts, and I’ve named the same team in the same riding order that took care of Berwick a week ago.”

The Diamonds visit Workington tonight, and English is looking for improvement in their results of last season when they notched 42 and 41 points on their two trips.

“We put up a good fight each time but left empty-handed on both occasions, and we need a few more points than that if we are going to see off the Comets.”

Former Premier League individual champion Craig Cook spearheads the Workington attack and, as the fastest visiting rider at Byker last year, his clashes with leading Diamonds Robert Lambert and Steve Worrall, who also races with Cook for Belle Vue in the SGB Premiership, are a mouth-watering attraction tomorrow night.