The Warriors faced up to the powerful Birmingham Brummies in a National League speedway fixture at the Andrew Younie Smallbrook Stadium and whilst the Island side contained the visitors for the first half of the meeting, the loss of captain Ben Morley to injury and the influential contribution of Brummie reserve Leon Flint tipped the scales in the visitors favour.
Although not free of misfortune themselves, as expected the top three visitors by current racing average all contributed to creating a solid base from which the Midland side could tactically deploy teenage star Flint at key moments and the young man from Northumberland showed his star potential with a massive sixteen points from a full quota of seven rides that including a last race tumble.
In a meeting full of honest endeavour from both sides that was well received by an appreciative crowd, the Warriors showed impressive cohesiveness and desire however the loss of Morley in heat 10 curtailed the home side’s attacking ability in the closing races. Early indications are that Morley has dislocated the thumb damaged at Redcar last month and he immediately headed back to hospital in Essex for further assessment.
New Warrior Alfie Bowtell was always in the thick of the action and went on to top score again as the Island side surrendered their unbeaten home league record in disappointing circumstances.
Co-promoter Barry Bishop remained upbeat afterwards as he said, “I thought that was a good meeting and thank all those attended preferring speedway over soccer. Ben’s fall probably cost us at least six points and a real nail biting finish, but fair play to the Brummies who are one of the best outfits in the division with a true star of the future in Leon Flint”.
Warriors: Ben Morley 6, Danno Verge 5, Scott Campos 7+1, Chris Widman 4+2, Alfie Bowtell 12, Jamie Bursill 3+1, Shaun Tedham 2.
Brummies: Tom Bacon 9+1, Layne Cupitt 1, Danny Ayres 12, Callum Walker 7+2, Danyon Hume 6+1, Arran Butcher 0, Leon Flint 16+1.