POOLE Comets suffered a 105-90 defeat to Elite League pacesetters Wednesfield Aces despite a spirited effort.

Comets captain Greg Gluchowski and Maciej Ganczarek scored 36 of the Poole total, but the defending champions were just too good.

Ty Geertsen – Poole’s new signing – earned two exclusions on his debut but still finished with an 11-point haul.

The sides were locked together at 20-20 after the opening four races at Ashmore Park.

Wednesfield took the lead with a 7-3 but the Comets hit back two races later through Ganczarek and Dawid Bas, who raced in for a maximum.

However, the Aces retook the lead before Geertsen was excluded to give the hosts a 47-41 lead at the interval.

Wednesfield upped the ante in the second half of the match and although Poole managed to draw six races, they were unable to secure a heat advantage.

Heat 17 proved a nightmare for Comets with Bas and Geertsen both excluded, allowing the Aces to take a unopposed 7-0 win.

Poole banked a consolation 7-3 in heat 19 but by then the league points were already in the bag for Wednesfield.

Poole team manager Pete Barnes said: “Despite the atrocious conditions the team gave it 100 per cent and I cannot fault them in any way.

“It was a brilliant advert for the sport contested between two of the country’s top clubs.”

Poole: Greg Gluchowski 18, Matiej Ganczarek 18, Dawid Bas 12, Ty Geersten 11, Wil Bristowe 9, Steve Harris 9, Dean Hook 8, Hayden Chant 5+1.