WEYMOUTH WILDCATS 49

ISLE OF WIGHT ISLANDERS 40

WEYMOUTH new boy Adam McKinna labelled reserve rider Luke Chessell a “hero” following last night’s National League victory over the Isle of Wight.

Chessell had picked up just a solitary point from his opening three races but found another level to take the chequered flag in heat 14 and set up a maximum-points win for the home side, who are now level with second-from-bottom Scunthorpe.

McKinna, who chalked up seven points for the third straight meeting, said: “Luke was the hero if you ask me. The team manager Phil Bartlett kept telling me, Byron Bekker and James Cockle ‘you need to win this race’ and ‘you need to win that race’.

“None of us really did but then Luke went out in heat 14 and left everyone for dead so he’s the one who turned it around at the very end.

“And in heat 15, Byron going from second to first was just outstanding. The whole team rode well and I’m glad we got another win.

“I was told when I got here that the team hadn’t won many home meetings. I’ve won every one since I’ve been here, so I’m happy with that. Hopefully we’ll start climbing that table now.”

Reflecting on his own display, which included two race victories, the 23-year-old added: “My gating is not happening for me at the moment. I managed to get one right at the start of the meeting but missed the rest, while falling on my second ride was a bit of impatience from myself after going off 15 metres.

“I’ve been out for 10 weeks with a broken neck though so it will take a bit of time. If I can get my gating back then I should be able to win almost every race here.”

A commanding ride from McKinna got the Wildcats off to a perfect start as he spearheaded a home maximum, with Byron Bekker in second.

The hosts went on to open up a five-point lead, courtesy of Richard Andrews’ victory in heat two, but the Islanders recovered.

And after three successive 3-3s, the visitors notched their first victories of the night with 4-2s in races six and seven.

McKinna produced a fantastic ride in heat eight to pass ex-Cat Lee Smethills on the final lap and prevent the Isle of Wight taking the lead for the first time.

The Wildcats stepped up a gear and back-to-back wins in heats 10 and 11 restored their five-point cushion.

Tom Brown then picked up his first chequered flag before Bekker clinched race 13.

Both of those tussles ended all-square but the penultimate contest saw the Cats collect their second 5-1 of the night – courtesy of Chessell and Gary Cottham – to stretch the deficit to nine.

Captain Brown took a heavy fall in the final showdown, which had to be re-run as a result, but after a few minutes of treatment he was back on his feet.

The Welshman’s subsequent exclusion put immense pressure on the shoulders of Bekker.

However, the Cats’ number one rider held his nerve in spectacular fashion, finding a way past Ben Hopwood to secure a 49-40 triumph.