A sixth win in a row against one of the preseason title favourites came courtesy of an all-action performance from Workington Comets against Scunthorpe Scorpions.

The Scorpions were much-fancied before the campaign got under way and the scoreline didn't tell the full story of how hard the visitors pushed at Derwent Park but some terrific racing saw the hosts win an eventful meeting 52-38.

The home side had to do it without Kyle Bickley too, who was wiped out on the last lap of probably his best race yet for Workington and played no further part in the meeting, with a trip to the hospital revealing muscle damage.

Team manager Tony Jackson said: "I thought it was an excellent win and hard-fought.

"We expected it to be a tough meeting and it was probably tougher than the scoreline showed.

"There was some great racing and entertainment in a good showing from both sides.

"The star performer was Dan Bewley for sure; his last two rides were sensational.

"But with Jason Garrity and Steve Worrall in the mix Scunthorpe were very competitive."

Worrall set a new fastest time of the season in the opening race but Bewley made light work of that in his second ride, while further drama came as the ambulance was called out on track three times.

Bickley and Josh Auty were both forced to withdraw from the meeting due to injury but Ty Proctor was thankfully able to walk back to the pits and take another ride.

Comets had got off to a steady start as they gradually built their lead and were 16 points up when Auty came off in heat nine while trying to force his way past Mason Campton.

That seemed to galvanise the visitors, who hit a 4-2 then a 5-1 to pull the gap back to 10 points and earn a chance to get something from the meeting.

That result gave the Scorpions a lifeline and Garrity looked to make the most of it ahead of Bewley and Rene Bach, who had a fine meeting to score 11 points despite his recent injury.

The Maryport youngster made it look easy as he swung around the outside of the Scorpion on the penultimate lap in heat 12 to clinch a home 4-2, and another 4-2 from the reliable Nicolai Klindt and Proctor in heat 13 handed Comets victory.