Sunk by the Hitmen (From Dorset Echo)

Sunk by the Hitmen

11:03am Monday 30th August 2010 in

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WEYMOUTH Weyline Wildcats suffered double defeat at the hands of high-flying Buxton Hitmen yesterday.

The Cats were steamrollered 65-25 in the first of a double-header before running the hosts much closer, but still losing out 54-38.

The opening loss was their 13th in the National League while the second reversal was their first in this season’s National Trophy assault.

Former Weymouth rider Luke Priest filled in for the injured Byron Bekker, who suffered a broken collarbone and knuckle in Friday’s league defeat to Newport, and after a tricky opening contest, he top scored with 9+1 in the latter.

Karl Mason was also absent so the Cats used rider-replacement to plug the gap.

For the opening showdown, the writing was on the wall as early as the first two races, with Buxton claiming back-to-back maximums to open up an eight-point lead.

The advantage was stretched to 20 by the end of race seven and then 30 heading into heat 12.

The Hitmen’s dominance showed no signs of relenting and they chalked up a 40-point victory with Craig Cook (15), Jason Garrity (14+3) and Robert Branford (13+3) the chief destroyers.

James Cockle was the away side’s leading man with an impressive haul of 11 points – 44 per cent of his team’s total.

The Cats failed to win a single heat in the National League encounter, however, they stopped the rot in heat four of the Trophy tussle, Gary Cottham taking the chequered flag in a 4-2 verdict.

In stark contrast to the first outing, the Wildcats were just eight points adrift after seven heats.

A home maximum in race 10 saw the Hitmen pull 12 points clear but a fruitful tactical ride from the returning Priest, and then a race victory for Richard Andrews, gave the visitors hope of salvaging an away point at 41-33 down.

However, the joy was short-lived as Buxton reasserted their dominance and took the final three heats, including a last-race 5-1, to run out victorious once again.

Cook (15) was the king of consistency with another perfect show but this time his efforts were trumped by team-mate Robert Branford (16+2).

Phil Bartlett’s Cats will have little time to reflect on the double heartache as they visit the Isle of Wight tomorrow night in National Trophy action, with Adam McKinna set to return in Bekker’s absence.