WIGHTLINK WARRIORS 63

WEYMOUTH WILDCATS 27

WEYMOUTH Wildcats' first seven-up meeting for four years ended in disappointment as they were beaten by the Wightlink Warriors 63-27 on the Isle of Wight last night.

There was trouble before the meet had even begun as Danny Ayres had to pull out with food poisoning leaving the Wildcats a man down. 

With a replacement rider in place, Weymouth could not match their rivals on a tricky surface in front of a great crowd. 

Ben Hopwood top scored for the visitors with nine points. David Mason, returning for the Wildcats after seven years, notched up eight points.

Luke Priest (6), Shaun Tedham (5), James Purchase (1) and Layne Cupitt (1) also scored points for the team. 

After the meeting, Weymouth’s captain David Mason said it felt strange to be back in the colours of the Wildcats for the first time since 2007.

He told Echosport: It (leading the team out) felt really weird. “I felt quite proud that Weymouth put the meeting on and I’m hopeful for more meetings.”

On the night, Mason felt the track on the island did not favour the visitors. He added: “The track was very demanding.

"It was not the best I’ve seen from the Isle of Wight but I’m sure that will change.

“It took a lot out of you. It was bumpy going into the corners but everyone got along fantastically well for the one night.

“It was a shame that we couldn’t get a result.”

Some hardy Wildcats’ fans made the trip to the island for the meet and Mason felt the riders put on a good show for the supporters.

“It was nice to see some Weymouth fans there and see some old faces.

“The boys rode as well as they could on the night and we battled hard.

“We stayed with them (the Warriors) and put on the best show we could.”

There are future seven-up meetings proposed for the Wildcats, but even with nothing confirmed yet, Mason wants to ride again.

“Count me in,” he said.