WEYMOUTH WILDCATS 16

ISLE OF WIGHT WIZARDS 20

PLUCKY Weymouth Wildcats came within a whisker of securing their second draw of the season in a closely-fought 20-16 loss to Isle of Wight Wizards at Poole’s Wimborne Road.

Wildcats remain bottom of the Midland and Southern Development League but will take heart from an excellent performance by Jacob Clouting and James Laker, who snatched eight points each.

The difference between the two sides was the Wizards’ Chad Wirtzfeld who took eight points and had ridden in the top-level SGB Premiership meeting for King’s Lynn’s 58-32 loss to Poole prior to the latter meeting.

Wildcats had matched the Wizards for long periods, taking three 3-3 draws from the opening half of the contest.

However, Wizards were then able to collect two 4-2 results – Wirtzfeld their chief tormentor – as the visitors took a slender victory.

Speaking to Echosport, Wildcats’ co-promoter Martin Peters stressed the influence Wirtzfeld had had on the encounter.

He said: “It went well but if they’d have had the team that rode against us on the Isle of Wight we’d have at least got a draw.

“The only rider that James and Jacob lost to was Chad. He had a feel for the track before he got to our level and standard.

“He was the difference and by average, he was the best rider there, but Jacob still managed to beat him by a little bit in the first race. It just shows how good Jacob is.”

Cesca Kirtley-Paine and Sam Peters both failed to score for the Wildcats as the Wizards’ greater strength in depth told.

However, Weymouth now go into their final meeting of the season tonight against Exeter in Plymouth.

On that contest, Peters said: “In any sport you never know what might happen. You can put a bet on 10 bankers but guarantee one of them is going to lose.

“The commitment from all the riders this year has been outstanding. Testament to the guys, they’ve been really good. All their bikes are good and clean and they’ve been fantastic with all the supporters.

“They’ve all improved, Jacob considerably. James put in his best performance last night and rode well throughout the entire season, riding 11 of the 12 meetings.

“He definitely deserves a chance in the National League next year.”

However, Sam Peters will need a late bike adjustment after sustaining a cracked frame which forced him to borrow one of Kirtley-Paine’s machines against Wizards.

Clouting and Laker both miss out, with Andrew Palmer and Jamie Evans coming in.

Wildcats: Andrew Palmer, Cesca Kirtley-Paine, Sam Peters, Jamie Evans.