POOLE Comets almost completed an improbable comeback win in their first away match of the English League season, writes Gordon Day.

An injury-ravaged side took their meeting against Coventry to a final-heat decider before falling to a 91-87 defeat.

With first-team regulars Mattie Gancharek and Nathan Goulden failing late fitness tests, team manager Colin Sutton was forced to make changes and hand junior rider Kenzie Bennett his first race at senior level, with Macie Schmidt completing the Comets line-up.

Poole trailed by seven points at the halfway stage before heat wins from Ben Mould, Aaron Smith and Jay Briggs kept them in the hunt and reduced to four points the gap before the final heat.

However, England international Myke Grimes was too strong for Comets in the finale, taking the chequered flag to give the home side a narrow triumph.

Sutton said: “It was a 100 per cent effort from the whole squad who raised their game to overcome the injuries to Gancharek and Goulden.

“Ben Mould was in sensational form, riding unbeaten throughout the match and he had great support from the rest of the side.With a little luck we could have pulled off a shock win.”

Poole: Ben Mould 20, Matt Mildon 14, Jay Briggs 12, Frazer Garnett 12, Aaron Smith 12, Will Bristowe 9, Macie Schmidt 7, Kenzie Bennett 1.