Thanks to Bryn for this update from speedway team, Wightlink Islanders. Ed
After a fortnight’s break speedway returns to Smallbrook tonight (Tuesday, 7.30pm start) and the Wightlink Islanders know they have a mountain to climb if they are to reach the final of this year’s National League KO Cup.
They go into this second leg of their semi-final against league leaders Dudley needing to pull back a 28 point deficit following their 60-32 defeat in the away leg last month.
Mission impossible?
It may appear to be something of a ‘Mission Impossible’ for Chris Hunt and Kevin Sheppard’s side but they’ll take heart from the fact that in the Premier League cup competition, Newcastle lost their first leg at Sheffield by 26 points but pulled that back with ease in Sunday’s second leg and went on to by eight points on aggregate.
“On paper there appears to be no way we can defeat Dudley on aggregate,” said joint team manager Hunt, “but speedway matches aren’t won on paper are they and every one of our team will battle for every point from the outset.
“No one expects us to pull those 28 points back and so there’s no pressure whatsoever on our riders and they’ll just go out, do their best and who knows – stranger things have happened!”
On our travels
Whatever happens in the cup semi-final, the Wightlink Islanders hit the road in search of more National League points this Saturday when they travel to the Potteries to take on Stoke. A victory will consolidate our current third place in the league table behind Dudley and Mildenhall.
Third time lucky for NL Fours
The National League organisers will be hoping that it’ll be a case of third time lucky as far as the Four Team Tournament is concerned for, after being rained off twice already, a third attempt to stage the event at Stoke will be made on Sunday August 26th at 3pm.
