POOLE Comets raced to their second successive away South West League victory after defeating Oxford 133-113 in a fiercely-contested match at Horspath.

Still without star rider Mattie Ganczarek, Comets welcomed Greg Gluchowski back into their line-up and the Polish racer showed he had not lost any of his old magic in his first time on-track since the final meeting of 2018.

The home side started strongly and opened a three-point lead after three races but Poole hit back in heat 4 when Macie Schmidt and Maddie Saunders teamed up to post a maximum win that gave Poole a lead they never lost.

Comets' juniors proved a trump card with all four riders winning important races and posting double figure scores. Schmidt and Saunders's team riding was almost unbeatable, while Nathan Goulden and Kenzie Bennett scored 31 from a possible 35 points.

Oxford hung on to Comets' tail throughout the first half before Bennett and Goulden scored a maximum to relieve the pressure and help Poole open a 10-point lead by the halfway mark.

The second half opened with the home side narrowing to four points the gap between the sides before Ben Mould and Aaron Smith teamed up to give Poole an eight-point advantage.

And after Fraser Garnett and Smith raced past the chequered flag in heat 16, the result was never in any doubt.

Saunders and Schmidt notched another maximum win in heat 19 before Goulden and Bennett sealed Comets' victory when they stormed home for another in the penultimate race of the afternoon.

Team manager Colin Sutton said: “A great result for us thanks to some great riding from all of our juniors – they really did us proud.

"It’s never easy to get a result at Oxford but all of the side gave 100 per cent and we were worthy winners.”

Comets: Ben Mould 18, Nathan Goulden 18, Maciej Schmidt 17, Maddie Saunders 13, Kenzie Bennett 13, Aaron Smith 12, Fraser Garnett 11, Matt Mildon 9, Greg Gluchowski 9, Wil Bristowe 8, Kyran Yeatman 5.