The Wightlink Warriors took the win once again at the Andrew Younie Smallbrook Stadium last night (Thursday), beating the Belle Vue Colts by just 2 points.
The Manchester side arrived on the Island occupying third place in the league table and utilising the services of Kent’s James Shanes – unbeaten by a Warrior when he rode here back in April – whilst the Warriors management were rocked by a phone call from recent signing Joe Jacobs imparting the news that he was suffering from food poisoning and would be unable to ride.
Thankfully, Eastbourne’s Ellis Perks, who almost signed for the Warriors before the start of the season, agreed to deputise for Jacobs, donning the Warriors No.1 racejacket at last night’s National League match.
The Colts led 22-20 after the first 7 heats, but a maximum 5-1 heat advantage from Lee Smart (back from injury) and Mark Baseby, following on from Kelsey Dugard and Tyler Govier securing a 4-2 in the race before, put the Warriors into a 4 point lead at 29-25 with 6 heats to go.
The Warriors only led 43-41 going into the last heat but whilst Belle Vue’s Matt Williamson flew from the gate to lead from start to finish, skipper James Cockle and Mark Baseby rode side by side behind him thwarting every single one of the considerable number of attempts made by James Shanes to pass them, and by doing so cemented a 46-44 victory that sent the Isle Of Wight fans home happy once again.
Tonight the Warriors head to Oak Tree Arena in Somerset to go up against the Exeter Falcons.
Looking ahead to next week, the Weymouth Wildcats will go up against the Warriors in next Thursday’s exciting night of action at Smallbrook. Tapes up 19:00.
Photographs by Neil Furguson
WIGHTLINK WARRIORS 46 BELLE VUE COLTS 44
Isle of Wight: Mark Baseby 11+1, James Cockle 10+1, Ellis Perks 7+1, Tyler Govier 6+1, Lee Smart 6, Kelsey Dugard 5+2, Matt Saul 1
Belle Vue: Matt Williamson 13, James Shanes 9+1, Rob Shuttleworth 9, Dan Bewley 6+1, Tom Wooley 4, David Holt 3+1, Joe Lawlor 0.
