Thanks to Bryn for this update from the Wightlink Islanders Speedway team. In his own words. Ed
The Wightlink Islanders will be eager to atone for last week’s hugely disappointing home defeat against runaway National League leaders Dudley when they return to track action at Smallbrook night (Tuesday)
And the team they intend to take out their frustration upon are the Buxton Hitmen from Derbyshire who, on Sunday, held Mildenhall to a 43-43 draw on their own circuit up in the Dales in a match that was abandoned prior to the final heat because of heavy rain that was falling.
Hitmen are fifth in current league
The point gained from that match consolidates the Hitmen’s fifth place in the current league standings, one place below us and they’ll arrive wanting to improve on a string of disappointing away performances that has seen them defeated in every one of the five away matches they’ve ridden so far.
However joint Wightlink Islanders team manager Chris Hunt has issued a stern warning to his side warning them that they should not expect an easy time over the course of the 15 heat match.
“Myself and Kevin Shepherd have made it absolutely clear to them that not only will the majority of them have to ride far, far better than they did last week but they shouldn’t automatically assume it will be easy to beat a team below us in the league table.
“We simply cannot afford to be at all complacent and we owe it to our fans to produce a far better performance on the track when those tapes rise than we did last week.” he said.
Stoneman as reserve
Team news is that Danny Stoneman is back at reserve and that his partner will be 16 year old Adam Ellis, who is normally based in France, will be given a second run out in the No.7 berth, having impressed once again by winning the penultimate round of the British Youth Championship at Scunthorpe yesterday.
Buxton’s main ‘two to watch’ are popular ex-Islander Dean Felton and Luke Priest who were the top scorers for their side in their home match yesterday and, no doubt, ‘Deano’ will be eager to pass on his consider knowledge of the best way to negotiate our circuit gained from all the experience he gleaned whilst riding for ourselves.
As usual the action gets underway at 7.30pm.
