The Wightlink Warriors ended their 2026 season with a battling 51-39 defeat against Kent Eagles at Iwade Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Missing several of their leading riders, the Warriors fielded a youthful side with an average age of just 19 for the 2nd leg of the South Coast Challenge.
Mickie Simpson and teenage talent Ollie Binns led the resistance with 13 points apiece, despite the visitors being reduced to just 4 riders during the meeting.
Kent established an early advantage with a 4-2 in Heat 1 followed by a maximum 5-1 in Heat 2.
Heat 3 had to be restarted twice, with home rider Nathan Hargrave eventually disqualified following a first-turn incident which brought down Simpson. The Warrior made a flying start at the 3rd attempt, but Ryan Ingram powered past to share the heat.
Simpson was again involved in the action in Heat 7 when he made another quick getaway, only for Jack Kingston to sweep past with an impressive move off turn 2.
The Warriors’ task became harder when Seth Norman was forced to withdraw with a recurring back problem following a crash earlier in the season.
Binns then produced one of the rides of the afternoon to beat Kingston, with Arran Butcher taking 3rd as the Island side closed the gap to just 6 points at 30-24.
However, consecutive 4-2s restored Kent’s advantage before the injured Butcher was also forced to withdraw, leaving the visitors with only 4 riders.
Binns added another victory in Heat 13, but a Kingston and Vinnie King 5-1 in the penultimate race put the result beyond doubt.
There was still time for the Warriors to finish their season in style.
Kent’s Ben Morley and Ingram went into the final heat unbeaten, but Simpson held off Morley while Binns kept Ingram behind him to secure a 4-2 for the visitors.
Kent Eagles 51: Ryan Ingram 12, Jake Chadd 2, Nathan Hargrave 2+1, Jack Kingston 14, Ben Morley 14, Vinnie King 5+1.
Isle of Wight Warriors 39: Mickie Simpson 13, Harrison Rogers 3+2, Charlie Wood 6+1, Seth Norman 1, Arran Butcher 3+1, Ollie Binns 13.
Team manager Andy Hawthorne said:
“Once again when the going got rough the riders stepped up to the plate. Seth and Arran did their best to ride through the pain but had to pull out.
“Charlie looked like the rider we know he is and Harrison, once again, showed great promise and commitment – especially after that nasty fall. But Mickie and Ollie? Absolutely super efforts from them both, a number 6 doing a job a number 1 would be proud of and a number 1 being just that.
“Thanks to everyone at Iwade and to everyone associated with Kent Eagles Speedway Club for a great afternoon’s racing and a very warm welcome. We will see you again in 2027.”
Warriors co-promoter Martin Widman praised the team’s determination, saying they never stopped trying despite difficult track conditions.
He said losing Norman was a blow as the youngster had clearly not fully recovered from his earlier crash, while Butcher had battled on despite a broken hand.
Widman also thanked Kent’s management and staff for their warm welcome.
