In the balance (From Dorset Echo)

In the balance

8:40am Saturday 4th July 2009 in

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National League

WEYMOUTH DOONAN WILDCATS 63 MILDENHALL FEN TIGERS 32

WILDCATS’ team manager Jem Dicken has revealed that Lee Smart’s future “hangs in the balance”.

The Weymouth skipper stormed out during Thursday night’s 62-30 Knockout Cup defeat to Bournemouth and was absent from the Wildcats’ line-up last night as they returned to form with a crushing home win over the Mildenhall Fen Tigers.

A wrist injury, which he sustained at Wimborne Road, kept Smart sidelined for the visit of Mildenhall but it appears that he could now be on his way out of the Wessex Bus Raceway.

And his team-mates showed now signs of missing their captain as they overcame the Fen Tigers with ease to maintain their position at the league’s summit and immediately bounce back from the heavy loss to the Buccaneers.

Four of the Weymouth riders had extra reason to celebrate as Matt Wright (10+2), Mark Burrows (13+2), Terry Day (11+1) and James White-Williams (11+1) all captured paid maximums.

Needless to say, Dicken was delighted with their performances. He said: “They needed a kick up the backside and they got it. They responded, which we expected, and they all rode really well.

“It was James and Terry’s first ever paid maximums so they’ll be very happy with that.

“The opposition wasn’t as strong as that at Bournemouth but you can only beat what’s in front of you.

“The lads were all disappointed with Thursday night, and Lee’s reaction, and they were embarrassed for the supporters, so they wanted to go out and prove a point.”

On the subject of the absent Smart, Dicken added: “He does have an injury and that’s why he didn’t race. But his future does hang in the balance and we should know more next week.”

The Cats got off to a flyer last night and maintained their dominance throughout, winning nine of the 15 heats and losing just one.

Their only defeat was courtesy of Barrie Evans taking the chequered flag while on a tactical ride for the visitors.