Premier League
Isle of Wight Speedway: Islanders repel Bandit invasion
By Nick
Jul 23, 2008, 19:30

The Wightlink Islanders maintained their unbeaten home record at Smallbrook on Tuesday night when they saw off the challenge of the Berwick Bandits to collect two more league points.

Many had expected the Islanders to be pushed to the limit bearing in mind that their opponents had been in action at Reading the previous evening and had been defeated by a solitary point, losing out by 47 points to 46.

And when the Bandits Czech No.1 Adrian Rymel scorched to victory ahead of Jason Bunyan and James Holder in the opening heat, the signs of a very close contest indeed were certainly there.

But what a boost the home side received immediately with 17 years old Australian Richard Sweetman, making his competitive debut for them, stormed clear from the start to take the chequered flag and the three points for the win in heat 2.

And with Kiwi Andrew Bargh claiming third place, the Islanders eased into the lead, a lead they were never to surrender although they could never really relax against a Berwick side who provided spirited opposition right to the very end.

However the final result was never really in doubt especially after skipper Bunyan followed James Holder home for an Islanders one/two in heat 6 which was immediately followed by a similar 5-1 maximum heat win from Kryzsztof Stojanowski and Andrew Bargh in the very next race.

But they could never afford to relax completely with Berwick's No.1 Rymel always in the thick of the action alongside lively Australian Kozza Smith who the Berwick management had drafted in to replace injured Welshman Tony Atkin.

But those two couldn't stem the tide as the Wightlink Islanders, led once again by that remarkable 43 years old Paul Fry who received the man-of-the-match award from meeting sponsors Sandhills Holiday Park, and top-scored with 12 points.

MATCH DETAILS:

Final Score: Wightlink Islanders 53 Berwick Bandits 40
(Premier League)

IOW scorers (in riding order - No. of rides in brackets): Jason Bunyan 6+2 (4), James Holder 9+1 (4) Glen Phillips 5+1 (4), Paul Fry 12 (5), Krzysztof Stojanowski 12 (5), Andrew Bargh 6+2 (4), Richard Sweetman 3 (4) .

Berwick scorers (in riding order - No. of rides in brackets): Adrian Rymel 15+1 (5 - inc 6pt TR), Kozza Smith 9+2 (6), Michal Makovsky 5 (5), Tero Aarnio 3+1 (5), Norbert Magosi (rider replacement), Paul Clews 7+1 (6), Scott Smith 1 (3)

For ALL the latest news, photos, results, statistics and everything you need to know about the Wightlink Islanders and upcoming events at Smallbrook, go to: www.islandspeedway.co.uk