Last Thursday in the first National League match since the Islanders ceased to operate in 2013, a rampant Wightlink Warriors septet stormed into a 27-8 lead after the first 6 heats to effectively guarantee victory over the Stoke Potters.
Warrior fans basked in the sunshine and enjoyed some high quality action as all 7 of speedway team members produced a rock solid performance from top to bottom with 6 of the septet recording at least 1 race win and the seventh, Matt Saul, being paid for a victory as he followed home partner Tyler Govier for maximum points in Heat 2.
Benji Compton and Kelsey Dugard having posted a similar heat advantage in the opener after Ben Wilson suffered the first of his bike failures, and successive Warrior maximum heat advantages in Heats 5 and 6 put the Warriors 19 points clear and effectively the league points had been pocketed.
The racing was a good deal better than the final scoreline might suggest – Dugard’s swoop around Stoke’s race leader Shaun Tedham exiting the fourth bend on lap 3 of heat 8 and Mark Baseby somehow thwarting the considerable efforts of Danny Phillips to pass him for the lead in the penultimate race and likewise Atkin’s similar efforts in the last standing out.
WIGHTLINK WARRIORS 53 STOKE POTTERS 36
Warriors Scorers: Mark Baseby 11+1, Lee Smart 10+1, Benji Compton 9, Kelsey Dugard 7+2, Tyler Govier 6+1, James Cockle 6, Matt Saul 4+1.
BATTLE INJURIES GALORE FOR BRAVE WARRIORS AT EASTBOURNE…
Despite Benji Compton having aggravated a wrist injury last Thursday and thus being forced to pull out of an away trip to Eastbourne on Saturday, the Wightlink Warriors arrived in Sussex with high hopes of victory.
As the match progressed it soon became obvious that a miracle would be needed for that to happen with both Matt Saul and Kelsey Dugard ruled out of the match on medical advice after just 5 of the 15 races had taken place. Both had sustained injuries following high-speed crashes, Saul’s in Heat 2 requiring lengthy on-track treatment from the paramedic and similarly Dugard needing attention after his crash 3 heats later.
With their initial 7 man side now down to just 5, forcing the Warriors having to go into 3 races with just 1 rider wearing their colours, it was astounding really that they trailed by just 5 points at 38-33 with 3 heats to go. But with home No.1 Adam Eliis, who also riding for Elite League Poole this year, any hopes of a miraculous win were dashed.
It was such a brave performance from the Warriors for no reward other than to give Messrs Bishop, Widman and Vatcher something of a headache as they look to put together a team for tonight’s (Monday) trip to Monmore Green for the Wightlink Warriors league match against the Cradley Heathens.
Benji Compton and Kelsey Dugard are both out of tonight’s match, as is Mark Baseby due to prior work commitments. Tom Perry and Daniel Bewley take their place.
EASTBOURNE 51 WIGHTLINK WARRIORS 38
Warriors Scorers: Mark Baseby 9+1, Ben Hopwood (Guest) 9, Tyler Govier 7+1, James Cockle 6+1, Lee Smart 6, Kelsey Dugard (inj) 1+1, Matt Saul (inj) 0.
There is no speedway at Smallbrook this week. Action returns to the Island on Thursday 19th May vs Mildenhall.
