This in from Bryn on behalf of the Wightlink Islanders Speedway race team. Ed
Having ensured last Saturday at Stoke that the 2013 National Trophy will shortly be on display in their own trophy cabinet irrespective of the outcome of last night’s home match against the Kent King’s at Smallbrook, the Wightlink Islanders went into their final match in this particular competition determined to put on a show for the fans and what a show they put on!
They absolutely tore their opponents from the Garden of England apart romping to a 63-31 victory in the 15 heat match providing no less than 12 of the actual race winners in the process.
Quality racing
To be fair though the final margin of victory doesn’t do justice to the quality of the racing throughout the match with the Wightlink Islanders often having to overtake opponents at breakneck speed to take either first or second place come the end of four laps.
It made no difference that they went into the match without both No.1 Tom Perry (Buxton’s Charles Wright proving to be an excellent deputy) and Tom Young, who were both feeling the effects of recent crashes they’d been caught up in, nor that Danny Stoneman on his first meeting back after his shoulder injury was hit hard by bike problems that prevented him scoring until his last programmed ride in heat ten when he finished second behind team mate for the night Wright. to at least send him home happy!
Crashes
There was a horrible looking crash in the fourth race of the night when Kent’s Adam Kirby got things completely wrong and fell on the apex of the first two bends on the second lap right in front of the chasing Wightlink Islander Brandon Freemantle, who somehow avoided his stricken opponent but crashed heavily himself in the process of doing so.
Amazingly Brandon was able to ‘walk away’ from the incident although his bike was wrecked as a result of his swift avoiding action and further encouraging news was that Kirby may have ‘escaped’ from the incident with no broken bones although possibly some damage to his left knee ligaments.
Another great performance from then from skipper Ben Hopwood and his side very much appreciated by the Wightlink Islanders fans who also enjoyed the way they doused joint team managers Chris Hunt and Kevin Shepherd with champagne in traditional style after the match as they celebrated their success both on the night and overall in the competition.
Last night’s score
Wightlink Islanders 63 Kent CTA Fire Kings 31
Scorers: Charles Wright (G) 15, Adam Ellis 14+3, Ben Hopwood 14, Brandon Freemantle 9+4, Darryl Ritchings 9+2, Danny Stoneman 2+1.
Image: Lee Jordan under CC BY 2.0
