Wightlink Warriors let a 10-point lead slip in a dramatic speedway clash at Smallbrook Stadium, narrowly losing 45-43 to a newly-formed East Anglian team.
The home side looked set for victory after a strong early showing, but the visitors staged a late comeback to take the win in the final heat – the only time they led all evening.
Darryl Ritchings opened the meeting with a win, backed by Early Freeman for a 4-2. Charlie Southwick and rookie Jamie Sealey – riding competitively for the first time in over a year – combined for another strong result in heat 2.
The visitors responded in heat 4 when Connor Coles overtook Ritchings, and James Shanes capitalised on a mistake in heat 5 to take another win. Southwick and Henning Loof then secured a 5-1 to push the Warriors’ lead to 19-11.
Heat 6 was a highlight, with Ritchings snatching victory from Coles in a photo finish. Southwick won again in heat 7, but Sealey fell, and the heat was awarded 3-3. Loof was penalised 15 metres in heat 8 but recovered ground quickly before crashing out. Freeman then fell in the rerun, handing the visitors a 5-0 to halve the Warriors’ lead.
Coles continued his form in heat 9. The gap narrowed further to 31-28 after Shanes won heat 10. Ritchings dominated heat 11, but the visitors edged heat 12 to pull within a point.
Heat 13 was rerun 3 times due to rider exclusions and crashes. Eventually, Loof won with Daniszewski second, leaving the Warriors 39-37 ahead.
Sealey was forced to withdraw, leaving just Southwick in heat 14. His win secured a 3-3 to make it 42-40 heading into the final heat.
Ritchings faced Coles and Shanes alone in heat 15. Despite briefly splitting the pair, the visitors’ team riding proved decisive as they took a 5-1 to snatch a last-gasp victory 45-43.
Scorers
Wightlink Warriors: Ritchings 14+1, Freeman 2, Southwick 16, Sealey 2, Loof 10+2
Mildenhall: Shanes 12+1, Broadhurst 2+1, Rogers 5+2, Cossey 9+1, Coles 14, Daniszewski 3
Next up at Smallbrook is the Thermohome NORA British 500cc Final on Thursday 4th September at 19:00, featuring top riders including Coles, Shanes, Morley and Ritchings, alongside the Vintage Upright Championship.
