Skipper Nick Simmons, right, scored a maximum number of points, 15, on Tuesday night but it was not enough to gain victory for the Islanders. Paul Starke, left, contributed seven points.
SPEEDWAY Wightlink Islanders 45,
Mildenhall Fen Tigers 45
DESPITE a brilliant maximum-points ride from the in-form skipper Nick Simmons, Islanders were unable to gain victory against the Fen Tigers who, by gaining a draw, went to the top of the National League.
The Islanders dug deep at Smallbrook on Tuesday night and, according to the Tigers’ official website “belied their lowly league position”.
Tigers had their star rider, Cameron Heeps, to thank for gaining the tie, after he won all of the six races he took part in.
Mildenhall took an early lead after taking a 5-1 in heat two but Islanders rallied to level 12-12 after the fourth heat and, by the seventh heat — which featured a dramatic crash between Paul Stark and Aaron Baseby — the hosts led 25-17.
Islanders maintained their eight-point lead through to the ninth but Heeps won the next two heats in style to bring Mildenhall right back in it.
A dramatic end was guaranteed when star man Heeps crashed out in the final heat of the night, his injured wrist preventing him from riding the re-run.
His replacement, Lewis Blackbird, and his team-mate, were unable to stop the imperious Simmons from gaining his maximum points but they worked together to keep Danny Warwick at the back of the pack to gain enough points to seal a draw.
Behind Simmons, Warwick scored ten points, Starke scored seven, Rob Smith scored six and Gary Cottham bagged five.
Present on the night was legendary New Zealand rider, Ivan Mauger, who was visiting the IW to promote his new autobiography. Mauger holds 15 world titles, including a record six world speedway championship titles.
Last night (Thursday), the Islanders took on a combined side from Sheffield and Scunthorpe at Owlerton Stadium, Sheffield, while Under-16s British Championship took centre stage at Smallbrook the same evening.
Last week’s collection in aid of the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund raised more than £320.