WORKINGTON 49 RYE HOUSE ROCKETS 41THE curse of heat 15 on the road reared its ugly head yet again for the Silver Ski Rockets at Derwent Park on Saturday night.

WORKINGTON 49 RYE HOUSE ROCKETS 41

THE curse of heat 15 on the road reared its ugly head yet again for the Silver Ski Rockets at Derwent Park on Saturday night.

After no less than four previous near misses - at Birmingham, Newport, Somerset and Scunthorpe - the Rockets were in with a shout of at least a match point entering the nominated race, only to once again fall short at the last hurdle. This time it was a 5-1 from Adrian Rymel and Kevin Doolan that sent them away pointless.

The Rockets' ultimate frustrations distracted from a remarkable performance from reserve Luke Bowen, who reeled off three race wins and 14 paid points.

That total might have been even higher but for a close run heat 11 that saw the Harlow-born racer just edged for second spot by former Premier League Riders Champion Andre Compton.

Swede Linus Sundstrom's first visit to Derwent Park was also memorable.

The 18-year-old was good for two wins and 12 points, and also featured in two dramatic finishes.

His persistent efforts left him just short of Compton in the race for second place in heat four.

But he was rewarded with a pass on Richard Lawson for second right on the line in heat nine.

In the end, big points from Rymel and Doolan just about saw the Comets home.

The Czech was beaten only by Sundstrom in heat 13, while the Australian dropped his only points when grinding to a halt while leading heat five.

From a Workington perspective, it was fitting that the two combined for the heat 15 points that finally clinched all three points for the Cumbrians.

However, that outcome was rough justice for Rye House, who had remained competitive throughout, despite the obvious absence of 2008 Comet Joe Haines and a surprisingly quiet night for Josh Auty, who was guesting for the injured Tommy Allen.