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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2008 17:35:13 GMT
A reminder that the Wightlink Islanders open their 2008 season on Easter Saturday (a rare Saturday meeting at Smallbrook) when they meet the Reading Racers in the first leg of the Chalfont Coaches Trophy, start time 7.30pm.
To encourage younger fans to come along, the club have 200 copies of the excellent children's speedway novel "Full Throttle" by Peter Birks and John Goodwin to give away to kids entering the stadium on a first come, first serve basis.
Some info for Wightlink Islanders fans travelling from the Island to Sunday's second leg at Smallmead on the subsidised coaches provided by Chalfont Coaches and firstly the club apologises but the cost of the return Fastcat service from Ryde to Portsmouth is £5 per person and NOT £4 as previously indicated.
Those travelling from the island should assemble at Ryde Pierhead by 3pm AT THE VERY LATEST (crossing to the mainland will be on the 3.15pm service) and report to organiser Kevin Shepherd.
Those travelling from Portsmouth should assemble outside Portsmout Harbour station by 3.15pm and await the arrival of the Fastcat service.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2008 23:50:07 GMT
Racers taking 4 coach loads of fans over to the island on Saturday (and just a reminder to a couple of those travelling, if you're on the Reading coaches your a Racersfan for the evening  ) Unfortunately I won't be making the trip, am planning to be pissed as a fart in Brighton by the time tapes rise at Smallbrook!  |
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Post by schumi on Mar 20, 2008 8:42:24 GMT
Islanders' press release:
The Reading Racers, the Wightlink Islanders opponents in this weekends opening two matches of 2008 which sees them do battle for the Chalfont Coaches Trophy, have named the replacement for their injured reserve Danny Warwick.
That replacement will be 19 years old Sam Martin who this year will be riding for Sheffield in the Premier League and Scunthorpe at Conference League level.
Born on 8th February 1989 in Adelaide, the young Australian first came to these shores to ride for Oxford in the 2004 Conference League. However, a broken thigh sustained in a crash at the beginning of October brought an abrupt end to Sam's season though. The 2005 season was tough at times for Sam, but he came good at a vital time towards the end of the season, to help the Oxford to the league championship. He has developed further as a rider riding for Berwick in last year's Premier League before moving to Sheffield in the close season.
REVISED LINE UPS SATURDAY'S MATCH AT SMALLBROOK:
Wightlink Islanders: 1. Jason Bunyan (Capt) 2. Cory Gathercole 3. Krzysztof Stojanowski 4. Paul Fry 5. Glen Phillips 6. James Holder 7. Andrew Bargh.
Reading Racers: 1. Mark Lemon (Capt) 2. Tomas Suchanek 3. Ulrich Ostergaard 4. Chris Mills 5. Tom P Madsen 6. Jamie Smith 7. Sam Martin
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Post by braveheart on Mar 20, 2008 22:13:58 GMT
Racers taking 4 coach loads of fans over to the island on Saturday (and just a reminder to a couple of those travelling, if you're on the Reading coaches your a Racersfan for the evening ) Unfortunately I won't be making the trip, am planning to be pissed as a fart in Brighton by the time tapes rise at Smallbrook! That's a shame. I was hoping to meet you, Wacks. Don't expect to get off with someone in Brighton, Wacks, they are all gay in Brighton  |
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Post by schumi on Mar 23, 2008 14:43:37 GMT
Islanders press release:
On a bitterly cold night, the Wightlink Islanders got their 2008 season underway with a cracking 48-47 victory over the Reading Racers in the first leg of the Chalfont Coaches Easter Challenge, the return taking place tonight at the Berkshire track.
The mere one point margin of victory somewhat flatters Reading who found themselves trailing 34-20 after the first nine heats as Glen Phillips led the race-rusty Islanders in fine style.
Reading arrived at Smallbrook not only tipped by many as potential league champions this year but with the benefit of having raced three previous matches this year whereas the Islanders were opening their account.
And the Racers match fitness showed in the early stages with them moving into a narrow two point lead after the first three races but with Glen Phillips recording his first of what was to prove to be four race wins in the match in heat 4 and Aussie James Holder, making his UK debut, picking up third place, the teams were back on level terms at twelve points each.
It was the Wightlink Islanders who took control in the middle stages of the match recording maximum 5-1 heat advantages in races 6, 8 and 9 and a 4-2 as well in heat 7 to open up that 14 point lead referred to above.
But, as might have been expected, the opposition's superior match fitness began to tell in the final stages as the Wightlink Islanders began to tire, and with Danish ex-Islander Ulrich Ostergaard leading Reading's revival, the final margin of victory was nowhere near as big at the home side might have hoped for at one stage.
Nevertheless team manager Martin Newnham was pleased with his side's performance saying, "Reading are a good side and the fact that they had already raced three matches this year was a telling factor towards the end of the match as we tired.
"A win is a win though and it's nice to start the season as we mean to go on and as our riders gain match fitness they'll get better week by week."
All the home riders contributed points with Glen Phillips leading the way with a total of 13 that earned him the "Man of the Match" award from meeting sponsors Chalfont Coaches.
FINAL SCORE: Wightlink Islanders 48 Reading Racers 47
SCORERS:
IOW (in riding order): Jason Bunyan 7+1, Cory Gathercole 6, Krzysztof Stojanowski 8+1, Paul Fry 7+2, Glen Phillips 13, James Holder 3+1, Andrew Bargh 4+1.
Reading (in riding order): Mark Lemon 15, Tomas Suchanek 3+1, Ulrich Ostergaard 17+1, Chris Mills 4, Tom Madsen 3, Jamie Smith 2, Sam Martin 3.
Teams for the return leg are unchanged.
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