Last updated 19:39, Thursday, 01 May 2008

JOE Haines just missed out on a place in the semi-final of the British U21 final at Lakeside on Friday night.

Haines scored nine points in his five programmed rides and was just one point behind Steve Boxall, the final qualifier for the semi-final.

Charles Wright, Workington Comets’ other representative on the Elite League track was down the field with five points.

In the end it was Haines’ first ride which proved costly for the 16-year-old Workington Comets reserve.

He finished last behind one of the favourites Lewis Bridger, Adam Roynon and William Lawson.

But after that he recovered well to win his other two races, while finishing third behind top points-scorer Tai Woffinden and Ben Barker. He was also second to another fancier rider, Boxall.

Haines beat his Workington team-mate Wright when they met in heat five.

Wright, who had started with a third place behind Woffinden and Boxall, also had another second behind Bridger but finished the meeting with two disappointing last places.

Woffinden and Bridger went automatically through to the final as top scorers whilst Roynon, Barker, Lawson and Boxall raced in the last chance semi-final with Haines just missing out.

Woffinden went on to be the overall winner.