The Wightlink Islanders were made to work hard to hang on to top spot in the National trophy by a dogged Weymouth team at Smallbrook last night.
The visitors took a 1-5 in the opening heat after Paul Starke got stuck in no man’s land and Lee Smethills appeared to slow after a good start, the track being a bit on the tricky side preventing the Islanders from passing the two wildcats.
The islanders levelled things up with a 5-1 of their own in heat two after Garry Cottham touch the tapes and Richard Andrews after a slick start pulled a locker allowing Tom Hill and Dean Felton through. 6-6
Danny Warwick won heat three but Brendan Johnson struggling at the back eventually bit the dust. 9-9.
Any hopes Weymouth may have had of snatching a point from this match ended when Simmons completed his maximum after a tremendous final heat, eventually passing Cockle to take the win, with Warwick taking third for a final score of 50-43.
Isle of Wight Islanders = 50
1. Paul Starke...1, 2', 3, 2', = 8+2
2. Lee Smethills...R, 3, 1, E = 4
3. Danny Warwick...3, 3, 2, 3, 1 = 12
4. Brendan Johnson...F, 0, 1', FE = 1+1
5. Nick Simmons...3, 3, 3, 3, 3 = 15
6. Dean Felton...2', 1, 2', FE, 1 = 6+2
7. Tom Hill...3, 1, 0, 0 = 4
Weymouth Wildcats = 43
1. Adam McKinna (G)...3, 2, 1', 0 = 6+1
2. Daniel Halsey...2', 1', 3, 2, 0 = 8+2