SPEEDWAY
EMBARRASSED and disappointed — that was the feeling of Wightlink Islanders’ co-promoters after the speedway side slumped a record home defeat on Tuesday night.
Though the Dudley Heathens are unbeaten in all competitions this year, Kev Shepherd and Chris Hunt expected a far better performance than they saw, as they Islanders lost 61-29.
Now the pair are considering whether it is worth sticking with the line-up they have, or making wholesale changes.
"It is a conundrum," said Kev. "There aren’t bucket-loads of riders available and because we have to consider the points averages we would probably have to make several changes. Would that be in the best interest of the team?
"All we can say is sorry to our fans, we fully understand if they are angry and we are embarrassed and not pleased at all."
On Tuesday, Dudley were 20 points ahead after seven races, before the Islanders got their first heat win when Ben Hopwood took victory, before top-scorer Kyle Hughes took the next.
"There was an interval with four heats remaining when we gave them a right rollicking," said Kev. "We basically said they had the next four heats to show that they wanted to stay with the club. There was some response and I was encouraged by the performance Kyle gave, as well as our new reserve, Adam Ellis.
"But they have the chance to really prove to themselves, and the fans, that they are the team they claim they are on Tuesday."
Islanders’ next match is at Smallbrook on Tuesday where they take on Buxton Hitmen in the National League.