Win on road '˜magnificent' for Wightlink Warriors

The Wightlink Warriors relished their trip to Derbyshire as they recorded a first win on the road since October 2016.
Alfie Bowtell, red, and Danno Verge, blue, helped the Warriors win in Derbyshire. Picture: Ian Groves/SportographyAlfie Bowtell, red, and Danno Verge, blue, helped the Warriors win in Derbyshire. Picture: Ian Groves/Sportography
Alfie Bowtell, red, and Danno Verge, blue, helped the Warriors win in Derbyshire. Picture: Ian Groves/Sportography

The performance was superb and one to remember for the team.

It was a very pleasant afternoon in the Derbyshire Dales for the Isle of Wight team.

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They won it 49-41 with an exciting performance and their supporters were thrilled.

Travelling north without Scott Campos and Jamie Bursill the Warriors arrived at the home of the league's basement club to find the home side without one of their younger riders Lewis Whitmore.

With former Warrior James Cockle also missing, the home side were permitted to introduce an experienced guest in the shape of Max Clegg and in doing so bolstered their line-up significantly.

Undeterred the Warriors launched into the fixture which stood even after three heats.

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However, the visitors were never behind again as they pressed home the benefits of an all-round team performance and the inability of the home reserves to get on the scorecard.

This truly was an all-round team performance led by Ben Morley and Alfie Bowtell and enthusiastically backed up by Danno Verge, Shaun Tedham, Chris Widman and guest reserve Dale Lamb. The situation with the rider rosters might have given an edge to the hosts but Warriors stood strong and made sure they performed to their best.

Warriors' co-promoter Barry Bishop, who always wears his heart on his sleeve, was understandably a very happy man.

He said: '˜That was magnificent. When we saw the team changes to the Hitmen and knew we were missing Scott we thought we might be up against it but all the boys were marvellous and I just couldn't single one out above another.

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'˜After Buxton won at our place last year and effectively handed us the wooden spoon, it's only fair that we return the compliment this season and we will move on now to our September Spectacular on Thursday night when we will be closing our season and presenting a meeting packed full of top quality racing, fun, games and seasonal good-byes '“ oh and I'll be thrashing Tedham on the track in our special challenge.'