Inspired by a magnificent performance from young Australian reserve Richard Sweetman at Sheffield last night (Thursday), the Wightlink Islanders are safely through to the semi-finals of the Young Shield where they will meet the Berwick Bandits.

Following their 57-36 victory in the home leg of their quarter-final clash with the Yorkshire side at the Wave 105 Smallbrook stadium on Tuesday night, the Wightlink Islanders travelled north yesterday confident of successfully defending the healthy 21 points lead they had built up and that confidence was fully justified for despite going down 52-41 in last night's return, aggregate victory was theirs by 97 points to 83.

And it was an aggregate victory built on the back of double figure returns from skipper Jason Bunyan and 18 years old Sweetman who is in his first season of racing here in the UK and who romped to victory in three of the first five races last night.

Speaking after last night's match Wightlink Islanders co-promoter Dave Pavitt, who stood in for usual away team manager Dave Croucher who is due to enter hospital for an operation shortly, paid tribute to his side's performance saying, "They were so determined tonight to complete the job they started on Tuesday and they produced a thoroughly professional performance to see us through to the next stage of the competition.

"All the team were fully focussed from the outset and we knew it was so important for us to get off to a good start here tonight and thus prevent the Sheffield side building up any sort of momentum.

"Those three wins from Richard in the space of the first five races enabled us to restrict the Tigers to a slender four points lead at 26-22 after eight of the fifteen heats and, in effect, the outcome of the tie was decided. "We are now very much looking forward to meeting, and beating Berwick in the semi-finals!"

Dates for the two legs of Young Shield semi-final between ourselves and the Berwick Bandits have been agreed by the two clubs. The home leg will take place at the Wave 105 Smallbrook Stadium this coming Tuesday (October 14th) at the usual start time of 7.30pm and the return will take place at Berwick a week tomorrow - Saturday October 18.