BURY Comets pulled off their finest victory of the season so far against Edinburgh, but not before overcoming a mid-match blip in which they let slip an eight-point lead.

A tactical error and race exclusions cut their lead to a single point with a 44-43 scoreline at the interval.

The break seemed to calm the nerves and four successive 7-3 and 6-4 heat wins in the 10th to 13th races restored their advantage to 70-57 after heat 13.

Amazingly, at the end of the 18 heats, they suffered only a one point reverse in the second half.

Comets number one Chris Parish was back to his best with an immaculate 20- points maximum.

But the star of the show was 17-year-old Will Owens, standing in for the unavailable Ben Scranage. Will scored 16 plus one bonus point, including the heat wins as a result of some fast starts. Captain Neil Howarth and veteran Paul Dyson both scored 14+1, Joe Allen 13+1 and Steve Whittaker 11+1. Luke Jameson scored seven and Chris Dyson four. The Comets will now travel to Leicester Monarchs who beat hosts East Newport last Sunday for a very tough quarter-final on July 1. On Sunday it’s the third round in the Northern Fours and Junior League at Astley and Tyldesley starting at 12.30pm.

Bury Commets are meanwhile planning their own two-day “go-ride” games at Goshen as part of the Olympic torch parade which comes to town at the weekend.

In addition to their normal Thursday evening session, there will be an all-comers “come and try it” event from 7pm on Friday.

Saturday is torch day and the club have organised a festival of cycling from 12 noon with cyclo-cross activites in the wooded area behind the track and a grass road race on an adjacent field. There will also be sessions on the cycle speedway track.

Riders are invited to take their own bikes for the first two activities and specific cycle speedway equipment will be available to borrow.

Participants should wear long sleeves, long trousers, and take helmets and gloves.

The torch parade is due to arrive in the Gigg Lane area at about 4pm and the torch-bearer may visit the Goshen site shortly afterwards.