The Wightlink Warriors Speedway team will be looking to pick up some silverware before the 2024 campaign finishes on Thursday (29th August) when they take on the Cradley Heathens in the 2nd leg of the cup final at Smallbrook Stadium at 19:00. With a 16-point lead from the 1st leg staged back in July, the home side will fancy their chances of completing the job, but the heathens have a stronger looking line up now, and this one really could go right down to the wire. Leading the charge for the visitors is Tom Spencer. Tom has been in fine form for the West Midland club and knows a fast way around Britain’s biggest and fastest circuit. He will be backed up at number 2 by James Laker from Kent, who has had many an outing at the Island, including just 9 days ago, when he rode for the Young Heathens team against the Wizards. At 3 is the flying Australian Matt Marson. Matt recently flew back to his homeland for his brother’s wedding but was so determined not to miss this match, he has flown back. Like all Aussies, he’s not afraid of the big open spaces Smallbrook provides and will be one to watch. Definitely, another to watch is at number 4, in William Cairns. Cairns is no doubt speedways most wanted, at just 15 years of age, he is piling up the points wherever he rides and came so close to winning the British Final at the Island a couple of weeks ago, falling alarmingly in the grand final. This young man is worth the admission money alone, and the Warriors know they are going to have to ride very hard to contain him. Number 5 is Luke Harris. Luke started the season slowly but has picked up considerably lately, and a show of the Heathens strength is that he is normally number 1. Completing the line up is Nathan Hargrave. The Ashford in Kent rider has had mixed fortunes at the Island; only last week, he looked as if he was going to be unbeaten until a fall on the last bend of his last ride and the last lap. 
As for the Warriors, they will track their normal 1-5, with one change at number 6, led by skipper Arran Butcher at the front, with Sonny Springer hoping to continue where he left off at 2. Chad Wirtzfeld is at 3 and German Henning Loof at 4, Jacob Clouting will ride at 5 and youngster Harley Freeman will get his chance at number 6. Harley has come through the My First Skid Academy at the Island and will step in for Morgan Williams who has found the going a bit tough lately after coming back from an injury. Steve Piper the Warriors Team Manager said:
“Harley is biting at the bit to have a go; we are going to have to try to control him, but we know he will give it 100%. Cradley have a really strong side, but the Warriors are up for it; we have a lead to hang on to, but we don’t want to hang on to it, we want to win on the night as well.”
Promoter Barry Bishop added:
“This is going to be a classic; fans are urged to bring someone to cling onto, might want to bring their autograph books too.”
To add to the excitement, there is also a youth development match between the Wizards and young Heathens, plus youth racing which starts at 18:15.
