Isle of Wight Wightlink Warriors 37, Birmingham Brummies 53


FOLLOWING the disappointment of last week’s cancelled fixture, the Warriors were eager to get back into action on Tuesday (13) when they entertained the 2016 league champions Birmingham Brummies to Smallbrook Stadium.
But it was more woe for the Warriors, who gave further opportunities to newcomers Connor Coles and Kelsey Dugard, who made their debuts this season.
Before even a wheel had turned, the Warriors were dealt a blow when returning reserve, Tyler Govier, refused to ride due to a contractual issue.
Down to six riders against the defending league champions, who were smarting from a defeat the previous evening in Kent, the task proved too much for the home team.
Warriors rider Ben Wilson started with two quick wins, but he looped his bike at the start of the tenth heat and took a heavy fall, which affected his performance later on.
Coles made a steady debut and James Cockle was his usual persistent self, but with the Warriors short-handed in two races, they had no answer to a strong Brummies performance, despite being without their top rider, Jack Parkinson-Blackburn.
Frustrated co-promoter, Barry Bishop, reflected on a disappointing meeting.
He said: “We really believed our new look side would be able to match — and better — the Brummies, but things turned sour when we failed to agree on a contractual matter.
“With no time to organise a replacement, this thrust unacceptable pressure on the lads. I know the result is not entirely down to this one incident but it did unsettle our guys needlessly and that reflected in some of our riding tonight.
“On a positive note, we ended the meeting with a super heat of speedway — a building block with which to move forward.”

IW Wightlink Warriors: Ben Wilson 6, Kelsey Dugard 4, James Cockle 10, Chris Widman 4+1, Connor Coles 11, Jamie Sealey 2.

Birmingham Brummies: Zach Wajtknecht 10+1, Layne Cupitt 8+3, Tom Bacon 11+1, Liam Carr 15, Macauley Leek 3+1, Alex Spooner 6+2.