Ben Hopwood scored four points. Picture by David Valentine.
SPEEDWAYBuxton Hitmen 50, Wightlink Islanders 40
ISLANDERS’ season drew to a close last weekend with a battling away performance at Buxton Hitmen, in the National Trophy.
Tracking a somewhat depleted side they contributed fully to a very entertaining match and with the scores level at 36 points apiece with three races to go, they looked to be in with a great chance of pulling off a win but they ran out of steam.
Joint team manager Kevin Shepherd said: "This epitomises our season really, in that we were so near yet so far but, given our injury problems, most people will acknowledge that overall we have done well this year.
"It has certainly been a year from which we have learned many lessons, and we intend to put what we have learnt into practice next season, which we are already looking forward to."
This first season of the new-look third tier of British speedway has certainly been something of a learning curve for all involved and, no doubt, Wightlink Islanders’ officials would have discussed matters arising from it with representatives of all other clubs at a general meeting meeting on Wednesday this week.
Islanders’ scorers: Tony Atkin 11+1, rider replacement for Chris Johnson, Matt Wright 8+1, Dean Felton 9+1, Ben Hopwood 4+1, Scott Meakins 4+2, Tom Hill 4+1.