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SEPTEMBER NEWS 2010
WILDCATS VIKINGS DATE CHANGE
By Weymouth Speedway ~ Thursday 30th September 2010
Weymouth Weyline Wildcats final 2010 track action at the Wessex Stadium as a team was due to take place tomorrow [Friday 1st] with adverse weather conditions forecast it has been decided to postpone the fixture for 24 hours and restage at 7.15pm on Saturday 2nd October, weather permitting.
The International challenge against the Team Viking side is slotted into the Wildcats off race night with the Vikings due to return home shortly and they would be unable to ride the following week. Please keep a check on the weather update page on the clubs official website during the day for updates.
Tickets for the Wildcats End of Season Bash and presentations are on sale from the club, the event takes place on Saturday 6th November in the Wessex Stadium lounge Bar. Single tickets are priced at £7.50 with a couple’s joint ticket at £10.00. All the Wildcats will be present at the event and there is now scheduled a Training Session from midday until 4.00pm the same day for those wanting to make a complete day out.
WILDCATS FINAL HOME TEAM FIXTURE
By Weymouth Speedway ~ Wednesday 29th September 2010
Weymouth Weyline Wildcats final 2010 track action at the Wessex Stadium as a team is an International challenge on Friday [1st October] against the strong Team Viking side, normal start time 7.15pm. With current Chairman of the Wildcats Phil Bartlett stepping down from running the club at the end of the season fears have been mounting about the clubs future once the 2010 season is over as there has been no firm positive news regarding the prospective new owners of the club although three offers are on the table for Bartlett to consider.
The opening fixture this year at the Wessex Stadium was a defeat against Team Viking 43-47, only two of the current Viking’s side remain from earlier this year Briton Lee Geary scoring 2+1 and Robin Bergqvist from Sweden who scored 9 points last April. Geary raced in this year’s Belgian Golden Helmet scoring 6 points and Bergqvist posted an 11 point average in the 2009 Swedish first division, this year he rides for Vastervik and has none other than the new 2010 World Champion Tomasz Gollob as his team mate.
From Denmark in comes Thomas Jorgensen who has Premier League clubs chasing his signature for 2011, alongside him is countryman Jonas B Andersen, Claes Nedermark and Patrick Tarp all under 21 years of age. Jonas Messing from Sweden is a bright prospect under the wing and coached from none other than Grand Prix star Greg Hancock.
Wildcats remain unchanged for their final team fixture at the Wessex Stadium, next Friday a Training Session will operate with full details carried on the clubs official website, the session starts at 7.00pm until 9.30pm. There is just one more fixture booked at the Wessex Stadium which is and Individual event on Friday 15th October, the full details and line up will be announced shortly.
Should this Friday’s fixture fall foul of the weather as the Vikings team will be going back home shortly and unable to ride the following week there will be a 24 hour postponement until Saturday 2nd October at the normal start time of 7.15pm. Please keep a check on the weather update page on the clubs official website during the day for updates.
Wildcats skipper Tom Brown said “It’s a similar side to the start of the year when we lost by four points, it should be a good meeting and we should be able to beat them this time.” Reflecting on the prospective sale of the club and next year’s plans Brown continued “There have been rumours’ around for a while now regarding who’s taking the club over, it’s not really going to affect me as I have decided to take a year out with our baby due in January and concentrate on a family life. My leg is also playing up so I don’t know if I will come back, I’m definitely having a year off 100%.”
Tickets for the Wildcats End of Season Bash and presentations are on sale from the club, the event takes place on Saturday 6th November in the Wessex Stadium lounge Bar. Single tickets are priced at £7.50 with a couple’s joint ticket at £10.00. All the Wildcats will be present at the event and there is now scheduled a Training Session from midday until 4.00pm the same day for those wanting to make a complete day out.
MEETING DETAILS:
WEYMOUTH WEYLINE WILDCATS
1. James Cockle, 2. Gary Cottham, 3. Tom Brown, 4. Karl Mason, 5. Adam Mckinna, 6. Richard Andrews, 7. Brendan Johnson, Team manager: Phil Bartlett
TEAM VIKING
1. Thomas Jorgensen (DK), 2. Jonas Messing (SW), 3. Robin Bergqvist (C) (SW), 4. Jonas B Andersen (DK), 5. Claes Nedermark (DK), 6. Lee Geary (GB), 7. Patrick Tarp (DK), Team manager: Kelvin Lapworth
REFEREE: Mick Posselwhite
CATS' BOSS CONSIDERING THREE OFFERS
By Adam Summers, Dorset Echo ~ Wednesday 29th September 2010
THE sale of the Weymouth Weyline Wildcats is ebbing ever closer with three 'suitable' offers on the table for consideration. Outgoing promoter Phil Bartlett believes all three deals, in principle, would give the club a bright future but he also revealed that a lot more negotiations are scheduled to take place before any final decision is reached.
He told Echosport: “A deal is getting closer. There are three parties all very interested in taking it forward and it is now just a case of looking at each one individually and seeing which is the most suitable to provide the club with a good stable future. It took a long time to bring speedway back to Weymouth and I want to see it continue for many more years to come, and that is why it is important not to rush into any decision.” Bartlett went on to add: “All three people know what they are doing and they are all relatively local and are based within 30 to 40 miles of Weymouth, so we will just have to wait and see where it goes.”
Meanwhile, Bartlett has assured shareholders that their interests are also being considered in the ongoing talks. His comments come after Echosport received a letter from an anonymous source asking for clarification on the subject. Bartlett said: “Of course the shareholders would be entitled to a share of the proceeds from any sale but only after the club’s outstanding accounts have all been cleared. If anyone has any queries on that they are more than welcome to contact me on 07841042475.”
WILDCATS FINAL HOME TROPHY FIXTURE DISASTER
By Weymouth Speedway ~ Saturday 25th September 2010
Weymouth Weyline Wildcats slumped to home defeat in their final National League Trophy fixture against a makeshift Newport Hornets side 34-60 at the Wessex Stadium last night.
Another torrid evening for the Wildcats started in the first heat with ex Cat Lee Smart standing in for Todd Curtz taking the win from James Cockle and another ex Cat Luke Priest for a heat advantage. This was followed in heat two by a Hornet’s 5-1 from guests Richie Worrall and Aaron Baseby. Tom Brown gave the Cats supporters a win in heat 3 with team mate Karl Mason third split by another Hornets guest Ashley Birks.
Two more 5-1’s for the visitors in heats 4 and 5 with the impressive pair of Worrall and ex Cat Kyle Newman followed by Smart and Priest to put the Hornets 9-21 in front. A tactical ride for James Cockle in heat 6 produced a second place behind Newman with Baseby third to share the points. The second of only three heat advantages in heat 7 with McKinna gaining double points in a tactical ride second place with Brendan Johnson third behind Birks with the Cats now 10 points down.
Another 5-1 from Worrall and Priest in heat 8 over Cottham in third was followed by a share of the points in heat 9; Newman took the win from Brown and Mason. The final heat advantage of the night for the Wildcats in heat 10 which was re-run three times; Cottham taking the flag ahead of Newman with Cockle in third after Birks was disqualified following a second turn fall which saw a 26-38 scoreline.
The Hornets wound onto another gear in the final five heats taking three 5-1’s the first in heat 11, Smart and Priest ahead of Andrews. Brown split winner Birks and Baseby in heat 12 before Newman and Smart combine for a 5-1 over Cockle in heat 13. A shared heat 14 with Birks taking the flag from Mason and Andrews before Newman and Smart combined again for a last heat 5-1 with Cottham third to give the Hornets an outstanding 34-60 victory at the Wessex Stadium.
Wildcats chairman said after the meeting “Newport booked some guests who came good for them, we were not at the races tonight, I don’t know what went wrong with the Wildcats tonight, I can’t wait for the last meeting and shut the doors so that someone else can take things over.”
Next track action for the Wildcats is a challenge on Friday 1st October against the visiting Team Viking side, normal start time 7.15pm at the Wessex Stadium.
Tickets for the Wildcats End of Season Bash and presentations are on sale from the club, the event takes place on Saturday 6th November in the Wessex Stadium lounge Bar. Single tickets are priced at £7.50 with a couple’s joint ticket at £10.00.
Full meeting details HERE
POOR CATS CRUMBLE TO HORNETS
By Rob Meech, Dorse Echo ~ Saturday 25th September 2010
MANAGER Phil Bartlett was at a loss to explain his team’s performance in last night’s humiliation against the Newport Hornets. Weymouth Weyline Wildcats crumbled to a mammoth National League Trophy defeat at the Wessex Raceway on an evening in which little went right for the beleaguered home side. As well as finishing at the foot of the National League table, the Cats can climb no higher than second from bottom in the Trophy standings, with the date for the final meeting at Newport still to be arranged.
And Bartlett said: “Newport brought some good riders but I thought ours were going to step up to the plate. I really don’t know what happened. Kyle Newman (16+1) and Lee Smart (13+2) knew the track and were always going to be a good top two. Maybe their boys were just hungrier than ours. Nothing really went right for us. I can’t wait for the season to finish, shut the doors and let someone else take it over.” Bartlett revealed there had been no fresh developments in his attempts to sell the club, although he did confirm that “four or five” parties had declared an interest in taking control.
DEMORALISED CATS IN TROPHY TORMENT
By Rob Meech, Dorset Echo ~ Saturday 25th September 2010
WEYMOUTH WILDCATS 34 NEWPORT HORNETS 60
WEYMOUTH Weyline Wildcats slumped to a demoralising National Trophy defeat at the hands of the Newport Hornets last night. Former Cats Kyle Newman (16+1) and Lee Smart (13+2) came back to haunt the home side as they both played starring roles in the patched-up Hornets’ comprehensive victory. The Wildcats were crushed by a staggering 26 points in their penultimate Trophy meeting – their biggest home defeat of a season which continues to sink to new depths of despair.
James Cockle and Tom Brown scored eight points apiece but the pair lacked any substantial support from their team-mates on another miserable evening at the Wessex Raceway. And the upshot is that Weymouth, who have finished rock bottom in the National League, cannot climb any higher than second from bottom in the Trophy table. Smart showcased his class in storming to an opening-heat victory ahead of fans’ favourite Cockle, while Gary Cottham (5) brought up the rear. It looked ominous for the Wildcats when Ritchie Worrall and Aaron Baseby combined for Newport’s first maximum, which extended their lead to six points. Brown took the chequered flag in an exciting heat three, although the real action concerned the battle for second place between Karl Mason (4+1) and Ashley Birks, with the latter narrowly prevailing. Adam McKinna (4) fell on two separate occasions in the next and was rightly disqualified, enabling the visitors to record another maximum courtesy of Worrall and Newman.
Already eight points adrift, Weymouth needed inspiration but instead they were confronted by Smart, who scorched round and, ably assisted by Luke Priest, helped notch another 5-1 to deflate the hosts further. Cockle was entrusted with a tactical ride in heat six in an attempt to shrink the gap, but while he finished second to Newman, it was only enough to acquire a share of the spoils. McKinna donned the back-and-white helmet immediately afterwards and mirrored Cockle’s effort in a 5-3 for the Wildcats – only their second heat advantage of the evening. With their two tactical rides exhausted and still staring at a 10-point deficit, it looked like the night could not get much worse for Weymouth. That was before an unstoppable Worrall made it a hat-trick of victories to stretch Newport’s lead to a colossal 14 points at just over the midway point of the meeting. Worrall’s luck ran out in heat nine as he was disqualified for being the primary cause of a stoppage involving Brown, who was applauded for laying down his bike at the earliest opport-unity. In the re-run, Newman outpaced both Brown and Mason, who had to settle for second and third place respectively in a rare 3-3.
An incident-packed and protracted heat 10 featured the disqualification of Birks, much to his consternation, before Cottham cruised round for a morale-boosting triumph. If one heat epitomised the Hornets’ superiority best then it was race 11, which was completely dominated by Smart and his sidekick Priest, who left Richard Andrews (2+1) and McKinna trailing in their wake. Birks maintained his fine personal showing with a win in heat 12 before the deadly duo of Smart and Newman brushed aside Cockle and new-signing Brendan Johnson (3+1) with consummate ease. Birks tasted success again in the penultimate heat, which produced a 3-3 thanks largely to a gallant ride by Mason, as Newport’s advantage stood at 22 points. And, predictably, Newman and Smart – unbeaten by an opponent – finished first and second respectively in the nominated final heat to cap a thoroughly forgettable night for the Wildcats.
WILDCATS FINAL HOME TROPHY FIXTURE AFTER A HEATHENS HAMMERING
By Weymouth Speedway ~ Friday 24th September 2010
Weymouth Weyline Wildcats stage their final National League Trophy fixture of the season tonight [Friday 24th] at the Wessex Stadium against high flying Newport Hornets who have like the Wildcats been besieged by injuries to their team.
On Wednesday evening the Wildcats went down 65-27 against top of the table Dudley Heathens boasting an impressive young line up mixed with Premier League experience. The Heathens roared away to race victories in every heat with just a single last place to their scorecard.
Heathens started by roaring off to two 5-1 maximum heat wins followed by a heat advantage where Tom Brown led the race initially before Tom Perry passed him. The first and only 3-3 of the night in heat 4 where Wildcats, Adam McKinna and Brendan Johnson packed in the minor places. A tactical ride for James Cockle failed to make any impression for the Wildcats with another 5-1 followed by a heat advantage to put the Heathens 26-10 up.
Last throw of the dice for the Wildcats as far as tactics were concerned with Brown out as a tactical ride in heat 7 where he grabbed second spot passing Ashley Morris. Three more successive 5-1’s for the home side with the Heathens now leading 45-17. Cockle had a good tussle in heat 11 but was only able to split the Heathens pairing, before Brown followed suit in heat 12.
Cockle again in heat 13 split the Heathens but Smart was well away at the front. Mason held on to second spot in the penultimate heat. Smart fittingly won the last heat of the evening after a stunning inside pass on turns three and four last lap of early leader Cockle to give a final result of 65-27 to the Heathens.
There is only one Trophy fixture remaining for the Wildcats after tonight’s encounter which is an away trip to South Wales which still has to be confirmed. Next Friday’s fixture is a challenge against an International ‘Team Viking’ select squad.
Lending a hand in the pits at Birmingham was injured Wildcat Byron Bekker who said “The injury isn’t too bad now, I’m still getting a little bit of pain, I’ve got to go back to the hospital on Friday 1st October for a check up to see if it’s healed if not there going to pin it. I really wanna ride now, the doctor said originally three months if the collarbone is pinned but I hope it’s a lot shorter than that.”
When asked about any plans for next year Bekker continued “I’m going back to South Africa in December to lay in the sun and get refreshed, I haven’t really thought about next year, I’m just taking every year as it comes and have to get the shoulder back ready and see what happens. It’s frustrating as I want to ride but whether I could of made any difference or not doesn’t matter as riding my bike is all I want to do and try and help out as much as I can.”
Onto tonight’s fixture which see’s a decimated Newport Hornets side travel to the South Coast after losing the majority of their side in recent weeks to injury. Hornets have called on the services of former Wildcat and current Dudley Heathens star Lee Smart who romped through the scorecard on Wednesday unbeaten in five rides. Smart steps in for Todd Kurtz who is unavailable tonight, with Newport’s senior side the Wasps requiring Kurtz’s services in a Premier League fixture. The only other two confirmed starters for the Hornets are Luke Priest and Kyle Newman, with the rider replacement rule being operated for the injured Tony Atkin. Guests and replacement riders will fill the remaining blank spaces in the team line up.
The Wildcats track the same team that lost to Dudley mid week with Gary Cottham moving to the number two position and a welcome return to Wildcats colours for the current British Under 18 Champion Brendan Johnson slotting in at number seven after losing his place at the Isle of Wight through injury recently.
Tickets for the Wildcats End of Season Bash and presentations will be on sale from the Bar at the track tonight, the event takes place on Saturday 6th November in the Wessex Stadium lounge Bar. Single tickets are priced at £7.50 with a couple’s joint ticket at £10.00.
MEETING DETAILS:
WEYMOUTH WILDCATS
1. James Cockle, 2. Gary Cottham, 3. Tom Brown, 4. Karl Mason, 5. Adam McKinna, 6. Richard Andrews, 7. Brendan Johnson, Team manager: Phil Bartlett
NEWPORT HORNETS
1. Lee Smart (guest), 2. Luke Priest, 3. TBC, 4. Rider Replacement for Tony Atkin, 5. Kyle Newman, 6. TBC, 7. TBC, Team manager: Kevin Brown
REFEREE: Ronnie Allan
Full meeting details HERE
IT'S A ROCK-BOTTOM FINISH FOR WILDCATS
By Ky Capel, Dorset Echo ~ Thursday 23rd September 2010
WEYMOUTH Weyline Wildcats suffered a hammering at the hands of the Heathens last night, ensuring they finished the term rock bottom. A miserable National League campaign was brought to a predictable end in Birmingham as new leaders Dudley swept the Cats aside with a dominant display. James Cockle and Tom Brown, who both notched eight apiece, accounted for more than half of the visitors’ total with Gary Cottham and Richard Andrews unable to score a single point between them.
Cats’ outgoing chairman Phil Bartlett admitted his riders were defeated by a “far superior” outfit. He said: “We were beaten by the better side – they were far superior while we were not good enough. They knew how to pick up the drive on the track and we had no answer to them whatsoever. We put in plenty of hard work and effort but they were far superior. That’s why they are top of the league and we are at the bottom. For us, there was hardly anything to play for so the result was immaterial.”
Besides being pleased with the efforts of Messrs Cockle and Brown, Bartlett gave praise to the returning Brendan Johnson (3+1) – back at the club after losing his place at the Isle of Wight due to recent injury. He added: “I was happy with Brendan, especially as he’s still working his way back from injury. James top scored once again, alongside Tom who had some good rides. Tom picked up three second-place finishes away from home and that will no doubt boost his confidence.”
Weymouth’s fate looked sealed after just two races with Dudley picking up back-to-back 5-1s. Adam McKinna (5) and Johnson spearheaded the first of only two stalemates when they ensured heat four ended even, while the second share of the spoils came in race seven thanks to a tactical ride from Brown. The Heathens though were in devastating form, none more so than ex-Wildcat Lee Smart who went on to record a perfect 15 from his five outings. And by the end of heat 13 the gap stood at a massive 34 points. Karl Mason (3) then edged Dudley’s Ashley Morris into third place in a thrilling end to race 14 but Smart had the last laugh when he dived down the inside of Cockle to take the final chequered flag and secure a 65-27 victory.
* The Wildcats host the Newport Hornets tomorrow night (7.15pm) in their penultimate National Trophy outing.
JOHNSON BACK WITH CATS
By Adam Summers, Dorset Echo ~ Wednesday 22nd September 2010
WEYMOUTH Weyline Wildcats’ outgoing promoter Phil Bartlett has snapped up the services of reigning British under-18 champion Brendan Johnson for the remainder of the season. Johnson, who won the Conference League with the Wildcats back in 2008, returns to the Wessex Raceway after losing his place at the Isle of Wight Islanders due to injury. The talented rider will replace Dan Halsey in Weymouth’s line-up after the ex-Rye House star’s season came to an end in last Friday night’s 47-39 victory over the Islanders in the National Trophy when he damaged his back in a heavy fall in the final heat.
Last year, Johnson suffered life threatening injuries in a crash at the Isle of Wight but following a remarkable recovery he showed the sport of speedway just what he is made of in July when he won the British under-18 title at Somerset. The inclusion of Johnson, who has seen his average dip this year, means he will slot in at reserve with the in-form Gary Cottham moving up to number two.
The Wildcats travel to Birmingham’s Perry Barr Stadium this evening (7.30pm) to take on the Dudley Heathens in their final National League fixture of the campaign. The Heathens, in their debut year, are gunning for a big victory to try and capture the title with Newport and Buxton also in the hunt. As for the bottom-of-the-league Wildcats, they will be racing for pride on a circuit they know very little about.
Bartlett said: “I have never been there or seen the place so it is a real step into the unknown and I suppose what will be, will be. The fact we have lost both Byron Bekker and Dan Halsey to injury in the last couple of weeks just sums up how frustrating the season has been for us really. It has been one injury after another and you cannot just keep picking up riders. Brendan has come in to help us out and it is great to have him on board but he has only just returned from injury himself, so we cannot expect too much. It is just a case of going there and trying to do the best we can.”
Ex-Wildcat Lee Smart will be at the head of the Dudley line-up this evening and backing him up will be Aussies Micky Dyer and Jake Anderson, and the ever-improving Tom Perry. The Heathens’ reserves are Ashley Morris and Richard Franklin, with the team being completed by Barrie Evans, who has been brought in to replace another ex-Weymouth star, Jon Armstrong, who is sidelined through injury. The Wildcats will also be in action on Friday night when they take on the Newport Hornets in their final home Trophy meeting (7.15pm).
Meanwhile, several parties have approached Bartlett with an interest in taking over the Wildcats. The promoter put the club up for sale last Friday but he is not setting any deadlines. He said: “I have had at least six different people show an interest but I am not desperate to sell and there is no deadline. There is also no set price. It is all about finding a suitable replacement who can take the club on and carry it forward.”
Heathens: 1 Lee Smart, 2 Micky Dyer, 3 Tom Perry, 4 Jake Anderson, 5 Barrie Evans, 6 Ashley Morris, 7 Richard Franklin
Wildcats: 1 James Cockle, 2 Gary Cottham, 3 Tom Brown, 4 Karl Mason. 5 Adam McKinna, 6 Richard Andrews, 7 Brendan Johnson
UNDER 18 CHAMP RETURNS TO WILDCATS
By Weymouth Speedway ~ Monday 20th September 2010
Wildcats outgoing chairman has secured the services of current British under 18 Champion Brendan Johnson for the remainder of the season. Johnson who lost his place through injury at the Isle of Wight comes in following injury to Dan Halsey who is sidelined for the rest of the season.
Johnson last rode for the Wildcats back in 2008 helping the South Coast side to honours that year. Last year life threatening injuries were suffered by the Poole based youngster but he showed the World just what he is made of in July this year when Johnson bounced back to form and won the British Under 18 Championship held at Somerset.
The inclusion of Johnson who has seen his average dip this year means he will slot in at reserve with Gary Cottham moving up to the number two race jacket vacated by the injured Halsey.
Wednesday evening the Wildcats travel to Birmingham’s Perry Barr stadium to take on the Dudley Heathens in their final League fixture of the year. The Heathens in their debut year are gunning for a big win to try and capture the top position in the league. Newport currently sit top of the pile, but three points against the Wildcats would put the Heathens on top, Buxton could overhaul them on points difference if they too have a big win away at King’s Lynn and the Heathens fail to gain three points.
With the Wildcats facing up to being foot of the table this year they could be the spoilers for the Heathens if they can keep the home side in check, although they have little or no experience of the Midlands circuit.
Heathens are lead by former Wildcat Lee Smart boasting over a nine point average this term, backing him up are Aussies Micky Dyer and Jake Anderson, the ever improving Tom Perry. The reserves are Ashley Morris and Richard Franklin with the team being completed by Barrie Evans who started off with Mildenhall at the beginning of the year before replacing another former Wildcat Jon Armstrong who again was sidelined with injury.
Next up for the Wildcats is the final home Trophy meeting against Newport Hornets this Friday [24th] evening with a further trip to South Wales still to be confirmed.
MEETING DETAILS:
DUDLEY HEATHENS
1. Lee Smart, 2. Micky Dyer, 3. Tom Perry, 4. Jake Anderson, 5. Barrie Evans, 6. Ashley Morris, 7. Richard Franklin, Team manager: Will Pottinger
WEYMOUTH WILDCATS
1. James Cockle, 2. Gary Cottham, 3. Tom Brown, 4. Karl Mason, 5. Adam McKinna, 6. Richard Andrews, 7. Brendan Johnson, Team manager: Phil Bartlett
REFEREE: Margaret Vardy
INSPIRATIONAL COTTHAM FAILS TO STOP DEFEAT FOR WILDCATS
By Rob Meech, Dorset Echo ~ Monday 20th September 2010
INSPIRED Gary Cottham notched 15+1 in the Weymouth Weyline Wildcats’ four-point National Trophy defeat by the Plymouth Devils. Cottham was in sublime form throughout Saturday night’s meeting at the St Boniface Arena and top scored ahead of the ever-reliable James Cockle (10+1).
The Cats had kicked off with back-to-back maximums but their arch-rivals chiselled away at the arrears to draw level after six heats. Plymouth then edged ahead and increased their advantage to 10 points after heat 13, but a 5-3 and a 5-1 in Weymouth’s favour narrowed the deficit to a respectable margin. And though the Devils signed off their campaign with a victory, it was not enough for them to climb above second-bottom Weymouth at the foot of the table.
Outgoing Wildcats’ chairman Phil Bartlett said: “We started and finished the evening very well, which shows that the guys never gave up. I’m happy with how we performed and there’s a good atmosphere in the camp. It looked like it was getting away from us at one point but we clawed it back at the end. Gary Cottham was on fire. He flew out of the gate and once he was in front nobody was going to stop him. James Cockle was his usual reliable self as well.”
Weymouth were forced to use rider replacement for Dan Halsey, who had fractured the L1 lumbar vertebrae in his lower back against the Isle of Wight Islanders the previous evening. Despite his absence, the Cats got off to a flyer as Cottham took the chequered flag in the first two races of the night. Ex-Devil Tom Brown (6+1) was excluded after falling in heat three, before Plymouth seized the initiative with a string of six successive heat advantages. Karl Mason (6+2), Adam McKinna (4+1) and Richard Andrews (3+1) all toiled away but the visitors were staring at a hefty reversal with just two races remaining. However, Cottham, starting from a 15m handicap, grabbed second place on a tactical ride in heat 14 before Cockle and Brown combined for an important final-race maximum.
Meanwhile, Bartlett has revealed he has already been in contact with as many as three prospective buyers as he seeks to offload the club he no longer wishes to control. He added: “I’ve had two or three people approach me about taking the club on and I’m hopeful something will be sorted out in the next couple of weeks. It would be nice to get it done as soon as possible so that they new owner can think about building towards next year.”
The Cats travel to the Dudley Heathens on Wednesday for their final National League meeting of the season, before welcoming the Newport Hornets to the Wessex Raceway on Friday night for their penultimate National Trophy fixture.
NO RUNNING FROM THE DEVILS FOR COTTHAM
By Weymouth Speedway ~ Sunday 19th September 2010
Wildcats were off to a flying start in the first heat with home favourite Glanz being beaten into third place behind Wildcats pair Gary Cottham and James Cockle. Heat two saw a terrifying crash which rules out Devils reserve Ben Reade for the rest of the meeting after his machine picked up speed and became airbourne exiting the second turn. Rider and machine were tangled in the second bend fencing with a long delay for repairs to the fence and for Reade to be checked over by the medical team. In the re-run heat Wildcats capitalised with a second 5-1, Cottham again tearing away with Richard Andrews cutting inside Bob Charles to grab second spot.
Home star Seemond Stephens showed the way in the re-run of heat 3 following Tom Brown's disqualification after sliding off on the second turn, Karl Mason managed to split the Devils with Matt Bates back in third. Another re-run in heat 4 after Bob Charles fell second turn, third lap which lone Devils veteran Simmonds won with no mistake over Cottham and McKinna with the scores at 9-15. Cockle forced his way past Bates in heat 5 splitting the Devils of Stephens and Bates.
Devils forced a 5-1 to level the scores at 18-18 with Glanz and Pickard over McKinna who started with a 15 meter handicap after failing to make the two minute time allowance, Cottham slipped from second to fourth. A heat 7 advantage for the Devils saw them take the lead for the first time Simmonds taking the flag from Mason and Charles after Brown fell and remounted to finish last. Heat 8 was shared with Pickard taking the win from Cottham who lead for the first lap with Mason third. Devils then edged out a four point cushion with McKinna splitting Stephens and Bates in heat 9. Glanz and Pickard combined for another 5-1 in heat 10 putting the Devils 34-26 in the lead.
Simmonds took the lead from early leader Cockle on turn three of the first lap to share the points in heat 11 with Cottham third for the Wildcats keeping an eight point advantage for the Devils. The Wildcats hit back in heat 12 taking a heat advantage with former Devil Brown winning from Bates with Andrews tucking in for third which narrowed the gap to a Devils six point lead. Glanz and Simmonds put the Devils into a ten point lead in heat 13 over the Wildcats 44-34. Team manager and outgoing Wildcats chairman brought in Cottham as a tactical ride for double points, in heat 14. Cottham touched the tapes and had to start from 15 metres back in the re-run heat. Stephens was away at the front but Mason tucked in for second for the Wildcats allowing Cottham to come through to second cutting the Devils lead.
Drama in the last heat the Wildcats needed a heat advantage to secure a league point for their troubles. Pickard fell and didn't remove himself from turn one, Mick Bates the referee put the red lights on as the remaining three riders continued their first lap, Cockle and Glanz slowed up in time, but Brown was unsighted and laid his bike down which clattered into Pickards machine. Pickard the Devils man of the match moved very quickly at this stage to avoid being hit himself. In the re-run Glanz took the lead until Cockle forced his way past into first place followed by Brown a lap later after Glanz made a mistake. The Wildcats grabbed a last heat 5-1 giving a final score from the St. Boniface Arena 48-44.
Wildcats chairman Phil Bartlett said after the meeting "We started off well with a couple of 5-1's, it was a hard fought meeting all the way, a 48-44 result was a good result on the road with a league point for our troubles." Wildcats covered for Dan Halsey with rider replacement following his crash on Friday night at the Wessex Stadium, Barlett continued "The latest news on Dan is that he has two squashed vertebrae and fractured the L2 vertebrae in his lower back which sadly finishes his season, he has been a great addition to the team and we would all like to wish him a speedy recovery."
Wildcats number one James Cockle said "Heat 15 was good, we have the last couple of meetings coming up and I hope we don't have to rely on heat 15, we started the meeting blinding today, I'm always determined when I come here, it's one of those tracks that you gotta beat, their boys they are good around here, it's a lot smoother and you can ride hard round here now, just a pity there's no dirt. It's a bit hard doing it in heat 15 all the time, but you’re a hero when you do it."
Full meeting details HERE
HALSEY INJURY UPDATE
By Weymouth Speedway ~ Saturday 18th September 2010
Weymouth Weyline Wildcats Dan Halsey was kept in hospital overnight following the heat 15 crash which saw him hit the first turn fence hard. Halsey has suffered a fracture to the L1 lumbar vertebrae in his lower back. He is due to see the doctor again this morning for further examination.
A further update will follow over the weekend.
CATS DEVILS TASK
By Weymouth Speedway ~ Saturday 18th September 2010
Rider replacement will be operated by the Wildcats tonight at the St. Boniface Arena to cover for the injured Dan Halsey where they tackle bottom placed Plymouth Devils in National league Trophy action at 7.30pm.
This is the Devils last Trophy meeting of the season with the Wildcats still having home and away fixtures against Newport to come. The Wildcats put in a much improved and solid display against the second placed Islanders last night at the Wessex Stadium and will be looking for more of the same to cheer on the Wildcats injured list.
MEETING DETAILS:
PLYMOUTH DEVILS
1. Nicki Glanz, 2. Jaimie Pickard, 3. Matt Bates, 4. Seemond Stephens, 5. Mark Simmonds, 6. TBC, 7. Ben Reade, Team manager: Gary Spiller
WEYMOUTH WEYLINE WILDCATS
1. James Cockle, 2. Rider Replacement for Dan Halsey, 3. Tom Brown, 4. Karl Mason, 5. Adam McKinna, 6. Richard Andrews, 7. Gary Cottham, Team manager: Phil Bartlett
CATS PUT UP FOR SALE
By Adam Summers, Dorset Echo ~ Friday 17th September 2010
PHIL Bartlett has officially put Weymouth Weyline Wildcats up for sale. The successful promoter has cited “personal reasons” as the main factor behind his decision, although he has vowed to keep the club going should no suitable replacement come forward.
Bartlett said: “I have run the club for six years and have put everything I can into it. But it has now come to a stage where I need to concentrate on my businesses and get back some quality time. I am tired of having to do all the extra things in a week that speedway throws up. It involves so much more than just turning up at a meeting for an hour and a half. It is like running another business and I need that time back for other things. Tim Helm and the volunteers that help make it happen on a Friday night do such a fantastic job and this decision I have taken is of no detriment to them at all, it is just something I have to do for myself. I have had a fantastic time running it for the last six years and to be the only promoter to have won the league down here is a great honour. We also won the fours and have enjoyed many great nights but this season it has taken its toll a bit. The lack of availability of riders and the constant injuries have been hard to deal with and now I think it is just time to give someone else a chance.”
When asked what will happen if he fails to receive a satisfactory offer for the club, Bartlett added: “I have had three people express an interest already but we shall have to see what happens. I still love speedway and although I don’t want to be running the club next year, I would have to stick with it if a suitable replacement fails to materialise. It took a long time for the sport to come back to Weymouth and I want to see it continue in the town for a long time to come. I would like to thank all the staff, volunteers, riders, and sponsors who have been involved at the club during my time in charge.”
Anyone interested in taking over the club can contact Bartlett on 07841042475 or alternatively send an email to philbartlett@btconnect.com
WILDCATS WIN DAMPENED BY FURTHER INJURY
By Weymouth Speedway ~ Friday 17th September 2010
Weymouth Weyline Wildcats completed their fourth home win against the Isle of Wight Islanders this season at the Wessex Stadium last night in a fixture that was curtailed after the first running of heat 15 which saw Wildcat Dan Halsey crash into the first turn safety fence before being taken to hospital.
Halsey and Cockle got the home side off on winning ways with a first heat 5-1 over Starke and Felton. Resch took the flag in heat two with Hill third and Cottham splitting the pair for the Wildcats. A shared heat 3 followed with Mason taking the flag ahead of former Cats Smethills and Warwick after a great tussle for first early on. McKinna and Cottham chalked up a heat advantage with Simmons battling hard to split the Cats pair in heat 4.
Starke and Felton hit back hard with a 5-1 in heat 5 over Brown and Mason to level the scores 15-15. The Wildcats regained the lead in heat 6 thanks to Cockle storming through the field and Halsey banging in their second 5-1 of the evening over Resch and Simmons.
A heat advantage for Smethills and Warwick split by McKinna who forced his way past Warwick left the Cats with a slender 2 point lead after heat 7. Their lead was extended to 6 points when the unbeaten by an opponent Halsey combined with Cottham for a 5-1 over Resch and Felton in heat 8. A further heat advantage in heat 9 from Brown and Mason for the Wildcats, Simmons was never far from the back wheel of Brown who made the start in both runs of the heat, Hill fell on the second bend first lap forcing a re-run. The Cats were now holding an 8 point advantage, 34-26.
Two shared heats followed, heat 10 Warwick showing the form when he wore the Wildcats race jacket inflicting the first defeat on Halsey by an opponent after an early wheel to wheel challenge with Cockle in third. McKinna kept Starke and Felton at bay in heat 11 with the scores standing at 37-29.
A killer 5-1 from Brown and Cottham came in heat 12 over Resch with Warwick retiring from the heat giving the South Coast side a 12 point lead. Islander team managers Chris Hunt and Kevin Shepherd sent Starke out in the black and white helmet for double points in a tactical ride in heat 13. A very tight tussle for first between Cockle and Starke who came home second ahead of Simmons but behind Cockle leaving 10 points between the sides. Smethills and Resch combined for a heat 14 advantage while Mason took second spot, the difference down to 8 points.
The last heat of the night was stopped by referee Graham Reeve after an unsatisfactory start and first bend fall which saw Halsey clatter into the fence heavily. After a lengthy delay Halsey took a trip to hospital in the track ambulance which meant there was no alternative but to call the meeting at 47-39 with only ten minutes to curfew time remaining, not enough for a replacement ambulance to arrive trackside.
Wildcats chairman Phil Bartlett said after the meeting “The lads put on a good show tonight, it’s a shame for Dan, he’s a nice kid, one of the real nice guys in Speedway, and we don’t know the extent of his injury to his back at the moment. It just about sums our season up. I’ve had enough, it’s time for me to go, we’ve been plagued by injuries and it’s getting tiring. I certainly want to spend my time with my partner Samantha and the family away from the sport and concentrate on my businesses.”
After announcing earlier in the day that the club was up for sale Bartlett explained “It’s too much time travelling, all the paperwork behind the scenes, the catering, bar, time trying to find replacement riders because of injuries, the list goes on, these is so much to do. I’ve not enjoyed it this season because of all the injuries and other issues which has left a bitter taste. We’ve had some highs and lows, it’s time now to go and do something else.”
After announcing his intentions to the supporters prior to the start of the meeting Bartlett added “To be cheered by supporters on the back straight when I announced the club was up for sale it left a bit of sickness in my stomach, after all the hard work and effort for the club that I and everyone else does for the club, not just me but what everyone else puts into the club, they are quite happy to see their club in this situation. It’s sole destroying when you put in so much work behind the scenes. I’m sure there is someone out there who wants to take on the club and take on the successes that we have built with the full planning and the costs involved and move the club forward, there is plenty of time for a lot more racing to go on here.
Full meeting details HERE
WILDCAT DAN DOUBTFUL AFTER LATE FALL
By Ky Capel, Dorset Echo ~ Friday 17th September 2010
DAN Halsey could miss tomorrow's date with the Devils after leaving the Wessex Raceway in an ambulance tonight. The Wildcats’ number two, who top scored for his side with 10+1, hit the fence on turn one of the final race and was complaining of pain in his lower back despite lengthy treatment from the track paramedics. A Dorset County ambulance was called but the 9.30pm curfew passed before the emergency vehicle arrived, forcing the National Trophy clash to be abandoned after 14 heats with the Weyline Wildcats awarded a 47-39 win. Halsey is now a major doubt for tomorrow night's trip to Plymouth (7.30pm) in yet another Trophy encounter.
And his injury marked a double blow for the Radipole Lane outfit after chairman Phil Bartlett announced this afternoon that the club was now for sale. On Halsey’s condition, Bartlett said: “It’s a shame because Dan is one of the real nice guys in speedway. We don’t yet know the extent of the injury but it just sums our season up even more because we’ve been plagued by injuries. We may have to use rider replacement at Plymouth now and also possibly against Dudley on Wednesday night.”
Reflecting on his decision to step down as chairman and put the club up for sale, Bartlett added: “I’ve had enough and I want to spend more time with my partner Samantha and my family. I’ve had some highs, including winning the Conference League in 2008, and some lows but now is the right time to move on. The riders don’t want me to step down but I’m adamant that I will. I’m sure someone will step in to take the club forward.”
The Cats made the perfect start to proceedings with Halsey and James Cockle (9+2) leading the side to an opening race maximum. Following a minor delay due to problems with the tapes, the Islanders hit back with a 4-2 before Karl Mason dipped down the inside of ex-Cat Lee Smethills to take the chequered flag in heat three. However, Smethills was followed home by another former Weymouth man – Danny Warwick – to ensure a share of the points. Adam McKinna narrowly held off the challenge of Nick Simmons in race four, but it was all-square immediately after with the Islanders collecting their first maximum. Cockle and Halsey repeated their first heat success in race six, but with the former taking the win this time around, before Smethills closed the gap at 22-20.
But the Wildcats responded suitably with Halsey claiming his second triumph and Tom Brown putting his recent bad form behind him with a confident victory in a re-run heat nine. After two stalemates the home side put daylight between themselves and their opponents courtesy of Brown’s second win of the night. The Isle of Wight came out on top in the next two heats to go into the last eight points adrift. However, there was to be no final race as Halsey’s fall brought a premature end to the night’s events.
BARTLETT: WILDCATS FOR SALE
By Weymouth Speedway ~ Friday 17th September 2010
Weymouth Weyline Wildcats chairman Phil Bartlett today has confirmed that he wishes to step down as chairman of the Wildcats, from today [Friday 17th September] Weymouth Speedway is for sale.
Anyone interested in purchasing the club can contact Bartlett on his mobile number and obviously the club will be sold for the best offer that comes forward and also for the best interests of the club to move forward and keep operating in the future.
Bartlet said “I feel it’s time that I need to take this move to concentrate more on my business’s and my personal life and quite clearly after running the club for six years it’s time to move forward and let someone else take the successes forward. We had fantastic success in 2008 in the season when we won the league and the fours, we tried to do that in 2009 but we came runners up to the team that won with half of our team from the previous season.”
“This year we have suffered with injuries all the way through with rider unavailability it’s proved to be very difficult to find replacements for riders when injured and we’ve been glad of the successes on track. Therefore I made the decision this morning, a decision that hasn’t been taken lightly but has been ongoing for some months. I have had a couple of offers of people that have come forward, one was to take on a partnership and form a consortium to help me but it’s not the way forward after running the club on my own. Another offer has come in but nothing has been firmed up he wanted to make moves forward but nothing more has been forthcoming so therefore I have decided to put the club up for sale and stand down as chairman. Hopefully the club will continue forward and have more of the success that we have enjoyed, bringing it back to winning ways and winning the league in 2011.”
To conclude Bartlett added “I would also like to thank all the staff who have worked at the track over the years for giving up their valuable time and also to all the riders who have ridden for the Wildcats, thank you all.”
WILDCATS PLAN TO STOP CAMPAIGN GOING UP IN SMOKE
By Rob Meech, Dorset Echo ~ Friday 17th September 2010
FIREFIGHTER Phil Bartlett is hoping the Weymouth Weyline Wildcats’ National Trophy campaign does not go up in smoke this evening (7.15pm). Bartlett, who was on hand to extinguish a blaze at a flat in Newstead Road last Saturday, is targeting a much-needed victory over the Isle of Wight Islanders at the Wessex Raceway. The Wildcats are currently second from bottom in the standings and have four meetings left to bring respectability to their challenge and escape from the doldrums. Chairman and team manager Bartlett believes Weymouth’s record against the Islanders this season bodes well for success tonight. Out of seven meetings against the Isle of Wight, who lie second in the table, the Cats have won all three on home shale and lost all four at the Smallbrook Stadium.
And Bartlett joked: “You can’t say we’ve been anything other than consistent against them! Of course home advantage is huge and we’ve made it count. Hopefully we will do so again. It’s always difficult to pick up victories away from home in speedway and that has proved the case against most teams this season, including the Isle of Wight. It should be an entertaining evening. The fans were treated to a top night of racing last week against the Bristol Bulldogs, and it was great for them to see Jay Herne down here. We should be able to climb a place or two in the table before the end of the season. We don’t want to finish bottom of both tables, but it has been that sort of year. It’s an important couple of days in terms of where we will finish because we have got to go to the Plymouth Devils tomorrow, so getting a win against the Isle of Wight would set us up nicely for that.”
Bartlett admits the end of a season in which his charges have been beset by injuries cannot come quickly enough – but insists there is still much to play for. As well as having four National Trophy meetings still to contest, the Wildcats visit the Dudley Heathens on Wednesday with the sole objective of clambering off the foot of the National League. And for Tom Brown, who has been under scrutiny following some below-par displays, the run-in provides him with an opportunity to rediscover his best form.
Bartlett added: “I am looking forward to the end of the season but having said that there is still a lot of racing to come before then. We will be fighting for every point. The riders don’t intentionally go out to perform poorly – they are aware of what they need to do over the coming weeks and hopefully they can deliver and give the fans something to cheer. Injuries have plagued us with the likes of Terry Day, Tom Brown and Byron Bekker being out for long periods, and I have found it hard to draft in replacements.”
ISLANDERS HEAD ON WITH WILDCATS
by Weymouth Speedway ~ Friday 17th September 2010
Weymouth Weyline Wildcats start off the first of four meetings in a busy week with Trophy action against the Isle of Wight Islanders tonight [Friday 17th] at the Wessex Stadium before two away trips this week.
Seven previous fixtures have been split with each side winning on home shale this season. The Islanders recently lost the services of Ben Hopwood to injury with Paul Starke replacing him in the line up. More recently British Under 18 Champion Brendan Johnson was forced onto the sidelines with a knee injury being replaced by John Resch. Nick Simmons, experienced Dean Felton, Tom Hill, and former Wildcats Lee Smethills and Danny Warwick complete the Islanders line up.
No changes for the Wildcats who will be looking to build on last week’s draw against Bristol Bulldogs with points up for grabs over the next seven days. Wildcats shale action continues tomorrow [Saturday 18th] with a trip to the West Country to face Plymouth Devils in a Trophy fixture before the haul to Birmingham’s Perry Barr Stadium in their last League fixture against Dudley Heathens. The week finishes back at the Wessex Stadium next Friday against Newport Hornets in the Wildcats last home Trophy fixture.
Tickets for the Wildcats End of Season Bash and presentations will be on sale from the Bar at the track tonight, the event takes place on Saturday 6th November in the Wessex Stadium lounge Bar. Single tickets are priced at £7.50 with a couple’s joint ticket at £10.00.
MEETING DETAILS:
WEYMOUTH WEYLINE WILDCATS
1. James Cockle, 2. Daniel Halsey, 3. Tom Brown (C), 4. Karl Mason, 5. Adam McKinna, 6. Richard Andrews, 7. Gary Cottham, Team manager: Phil Bartlett
ISLE OF WIGHT ISLANDERS
1. Paul Starke, 2. Dean Felton, 3. Danny Warwick, 4. Lee Smethills, 5. Nick Simmons (C), 6. John Resch, 7. Tom Hill, Team manager: Chris Hunt & Kevin Shepherd
REFEREE: Graham Reeve
BULLDOGS PAIR TURN ON THE STYLE
By Weymouth Speedway ~ Saturday 11th September 2010
Weymouth Weyline Wildcats fought hard last night against a team representing Bristol Bulldogs to force a draw in the last heat of the night. Top Dogs were former Bulldog’s legends son Jay Herne who returned from serious back injury unbeaten with a 12 point maximum and King’s Lynn Young Star’s Simon Lambert with 17 out of 18 at the Wessex Stadium.
Lambert started off with the fastest time of the night in heat 1 for the Bulldogs, Wildcats packed in for the minor positions. Cottham won the reserves race in heat 2 from Hazelden and Lawrence then it was time for the race everyone wanted to see, the return to shale action of Herne after a near 6 month layoff. Herne didn’t disappoint, electric from the start leaving the Wildcats for dead in the minor places with Armstrong losing a chain early on.
Deadlock was broken between the sides in heat 4 with McKinna and Cottham taking maximum points as Hazelden held on for third place replacing Nick Simmons who was a non starter for the meeting. Lambert took his second win in heat 5 untroubled by his opponents in a re-run heat after Baseby moved at the start. Hazelden was a faller on the third lap in heat 6 which referee Paul Carrington awarded in the Wildcats favour, Cockle with the win from Halsey to stretch their lead to 6 points.
Bulldogs Aussies hit back with Herne taking his second win in heat 7 with Armstrong partnering his teammate for second closing the gap to 22-20. Cottham caught the tapes in heat 8 and started on the handicap while Cats partner Halsey took the win, Lawrence was a faller third lap leaving Baseby to split the Cats. Lambert was in as a rider replacement in heat 9 and again was untroubled out front, Cats pair of Mason and Brown in the minor places with the scores at 29-23.
Herne and Armstrong combined again for a 5-1 in heat 10 to level the scores before Lambert put the Bulldogs ahead in heat 11 with partner Baseby in third behind McKinna. Herne was at the front again in heat 12 with Hazelden tucked in behind to push the Bulldogs 6 points up 33-39, Andrews picking up third after Brown fell third bend fourth lap.
McKinna was the only rider to lower Lamberts colours in heat 13, Armstrong dropped to the back after a fast start while Lambert just grabbed second after a last bend pass of Cockle. A heat 14 maximum for the Cats from Mason and Cottham levelled the scores to force a last heat decider. Armstrong forgot to turn his fuel on and dropped to the back after a fast start while Hazelden picked up third.
Lambert finished off in style with the win to secure a draw for the Bulldogs with McKinna and Halsey settled in the minor positions giving a meeting result of 45-45. Armstrong spun around 360 degrees second turn second lap from second place staying aboard his bike with the cats pair narrowly missing the spinning rider.
A very happy Herne said after the meeting “It was very nerve racking, I wasn’t too bad until I had a practice here last Friday and I didn’t feel very good at all on the bike, I don’t know if it was just me or the track being a bit rough. I had a practice yesterday at Rye House which got my confidence back up. Once my first ride was out of the way it made me a lot calmer making the start off gate 1, riding at 3 was a big help. I was that nervous I couldn’t hang on, I thought I had arm and leg pump, I was tired and so nervous but once I got going I wasn’t too bad it was alright.”
Talking about next Year Herne said “Basically I have to get race fit and stay injury free over the winter. Last January I had the knee injury that took me out for a while and then my back which is nearly six months now. I wanted to do a few meetings at the end of the season to get my face in the shop window for next year instead of just having a season out and no one thinking of me. Having a meeting like this, scoring 12 points could put me in the shop window for a team spot in the Premier League and the National League if anyone wants me next year.”
During the winter Herne returns back to Australia where he said “I don’t really need a rest as I’ve been resting for six months! I’ll be working hard, training, ride MX and have a good winter riding and practicing, see the family and get race fit for next year.”
Chairman of the Wildcats Phil Bartlett said after the meeting “An excellent meeting for a challenge, we couldn’t have wished for a better meeting. Fantastic for Jay Herne to come back and score a max after injury, I’ve always rated him since I brought him here in 2007, absolutely brilliant and I wish him all the luck for the future, he should get a team place somewhere after tonight’s score. The Wildcats battled hard, Adam and Dan stood out tonight for us, Karl and Gary put in a strong showing but a draw was a fair result tonight. Those fans that stayed at home because of the overcast weather missed a good meeting.”
Full meeting details HERE
TOM EYES A BIG FINISH FOR CATS
By Adam Summers, Dorset Echo ~ Saturday 11th September 2010
SKIPPER Tom Brown has put the Weymouth Weyline Wildcats’ disappointing campaign in the National League down to sheer “bad luck.” At the start of the campaign hopes were high at the Wessex Raceway but with their aspirations of claiming any silverware now all but evaporated all that is left for the Wildcats to race for is pride. And Brown is hoping that his team can get their feet back on the gas as soon as possible so they can end the season on a high with some positive results.
He said: “Hopefully our confidence will pick up soon and we can go on and secure a few more wins in the Trophy to make sure we finish the campaign on a bit of a high. It has been a frustrating season for all concerned but sometimes you get those in speedway. Every team has injuries, mechanical problems and riders that experience a loss of form at some time or another but instead of just having our fair share it seems we have experienced bad luck all season. The important thing now though is that we try and salvage something with some good performances.”
Brown’s loss of form in recent weeks has been well documented and he admits he is at a loss to explain the problem. He added: “I cannot explain it. I suppose it is just down to confidence. The fact that I have had a few decisions go against me recently hasn’t helped but it is like I have forgotten how to ride in a few of the meetings. All I can do is keep working hard and hopefully things will turn for me as well as the team.”
When asked whether he will remain at the Wildcats next year, Brown said: “All those sorts of decisions will wait until the end of the season but I do enjoy riding here. There are only two places that I have raced at since 2005 and that is Weymouth and Plymouth. I normally go well at Weymouth but this year the track is quite slick and I haven’t adapted to it as well as I would have hoped.”
Brown (4+2) experienced another below-par display last night as the Wildcats drew 45-45 at home to the Bristol Bulldogs in a highly competitive challenge meeting. Ex-Weymouth star Jay Herne was the star of the show for the visitors. Taking part in his first competitive action since breaking his back in a fall at Newport back in March, the charismatic Aussie romped home in heat three and never looked back on his way to a 12-point maximum. No doubt the appearance of ex-Poole Pirate legend Craig Boyce in his pit was another major factor in Herne’s fantastic comeback. Simon Lambert (17) from six races was also in scintillating form for the Bulldogs while Adam McKinna (10), Daniel Halsey (8+2), Gary Cottham (8+2), James Cockle (6+1) and Karl Mason (7) all put on solid displays for the Wildcats.
JAY'S BACK
By Adam Summers, Dorset Echo ~ Friday 10th September 2010
JAY Herne will be the star attraction at tonight’s challenge meeting between the Weymouth Weyline Wildcats and the Bristol Bulldogs at the Wessex Raceway (7.15pm). The Aussie ace will return to competitive racing for the first time since suffering a broken back in a horrific crash at Newport whilst turning out for the Somerset Rebels back in March. The injury threatened to end the 25-year-old’s career but following a six-month rehabilitation process he is ready to get back into the thick of the action once again.
And for Wildcats’ chairman Phil Bartlett, Herne’s return will be a very welcome sight after being the man that brought him over to the UK back in 2007. He said: “It will be great for everyone connected with speedway to see Jay back in action tonight, especially as this was where he first started, and I am sure he will receive huge support from what will hopefully be a good crowd.”
And Herne will not be the only top rider turning out for the Bulldogs this evening. Joining him will be Isle of Wight star Nick Simmons, who racked up a 15-point maximum against Weymouth on August 31, and Scunthorpe ace Simon Lambert. So, on current form, it would appear the Wildcats are in for another tough examination as they look to finish a disappointing campaign on a high with some positive results over the next month and a half.
Bartlett added: “Things have not gone according to plan this year but there are still a lot of meetings left and we want to finish as strong as possible. Tonight’s meeting will be a chance for the lads to regain some form and hopefully we will see some thrilling racing.”
WILDCATS FACE BULLDOGS WITH LEGENDS SON LEADING THE WAY
By Weymouth Speedway ~ Thursday 9th September 2010
Weymouth Weyline Wildcats last home win was three weeks ago and in-between time they have slumped to three defeats, tonight [Friday 10th] 7.15pm they take a break from League and Trophy fixtures with a challenge against Bristol Bulldogs lead by Jay Herne who’s father Phil raced at the Eastville stadium in the late 70’s.
Herne has only recently returned to practice at Sittingbourne following medical clearance after a crash on 28th March at Newport Speedway where he broke several vertebrae sidelined him for the season. Herne joins Aaron Baseby, Shane Hazelden, Nick Lawrence, Aussie newcomer Tom Armstrong, Isle of Wight number one Nick Simmons and King’s Lynn top man Simon Lambert in the Bulldogs line up.
Prospective Bristol promoter Andy Hewlett is involved in ongoing negotiations with Bristol City Council revolving around a 35-acre site at Avonmouth where he hopes to bring the sport back to life.
The last time the Bulldogs rode at the Wessex Stadium was Saturday 7th June 2008 when the Wildcats won 54-38. Tonight [Friday 10th] only one Wildcat remains from that team two years ago, Karl Mason who scored 13 points, although James Cockle rode at number one for the Bulldogs that evening scoring 5 points.
The Wildcats remain unchanged, with Byron Bekker sidelined for the rest of the season James Cockle has moved to the number one position with Adam Mckinna slotting in at number 5. Chairman Phil Bartlett said “Andy has put together a competitive side for this fixture, we wish him the best of luck in his quest to revive the sport in Bristol who would be a welcome addition to the league, fingers crossed for the right outcome.”
MEETING DETAILS:
WEYMOUTH WEYLINE WILDCATS
1. James Cockle, 2. Daniel Halsey, 3. Tom Brown (C), 4. Karl Mason, 5. Adam McKinna, 6. Richard Andrews, 7. Gary Cottham, Team manager: Phil Bartlett
BRISTOL BULLDOGS
1. Simon Lambert, 2. Aaron Baseby, 3. Jay Herne, 4. Tom Armstrong, 5. Nick Simmons, 6. Shane Hazelden, 7. Nick Lawrence, Team manager: Glenn Cunningham & John Adams
REFEREE: Paul Carrington
BEKKER IS RESIGNED TO MISSING END OF SEASON
By Adam Summers, Dorset Echo ~ Wednesday 8th September 2010
WILDCAT Byron Bekker has admitted that it is going take a while before he fully comes to terms with being ruled out of racing for the rest of the season. The South African, who is based in Barnsley, was hoping for good news when he made his latest visit to the fracture clinic but he was told his dislocated shoulder could need pinning.
Bekker, who suffered the injury in a collision with Tony Atkin at the Wessex Raceway back on August 27, said: “I have to go back and see the specialist again in four weeks’ time. It is quite a bad break and if it has not healed it will need pinning. I was hoping it would only be a couple of weeks before I was back riding again but now my season is almost definitely over. I normally heal really well and to be honest it is not giving me a lot of pain at the moment. However, when I had the same injury the first time it was more of a crack and it stayed in line, whereas this time it has snapped and overlapped. Even if it heals and I do not require an operation I am still going to have to go through two or three months of physio, so basically it is just something I have to come to terms with now.”
The most frustrating aspect of the whole affair is that Bekker was beginning to hit form again before the injury occurred. He added: “It is so disappointing as I was really enjoying myself. I was racing much better than last year and I was beginning to find some form again after a bit of a dip for a couple of weeks. Then, in the first corner against Newport, I have a crash and that is my season is over. It is really frustrating but all I can do is get on with it. I have spoken to Phil Bartlett and he has already brought Adam McKinna in as back up, so it is not too bad really in terms of the team, but for me it is still obviously hard to take.”
Bekker is hoping to return to Weymouth soon to thank the Wildcats’ faithful for their continued support. He said: “I am hoping to come down in the next couple of weeks and watch a meeting. I will probably spend a couple of days in the town, which will give me the opportunity to thank all those people that have given me and the team so much support.”
The Wildcats are in action again on Friday when they take on the Bristol Bulldogs in a challenge meeting at the Wessex Raceway (7.15pm).
HITMEN DENT WILDCATS TROPHY ASPIRATIONS
By Weymouth Speedway ~ Saturday 4th September 2010
Weymouth Weyline Wildcats slumped to a fourth defeat against Buxton Hitmen last night at the Wessex Stadium last night 41-53. The Hitmen are tipped as title favourites this season and after last night’s showing at the South coast venue there is no reason to doubt this.
Craig Cook started his last meeting off with a win for the Hitmen pegging back Dan Halsey and James Cockle for the Wildcats. Four heat advantages followed for the Hitmen with Jason Garrity and Lewis Dallaway joined his partner on the second lap for a 5-1 advantage in heat 2. Karl Mason managed to split the Hitmen pair of Robert Branford and Jonathan Bethell in heat 3 with Gary Cottham doing likewise in heat 4 over Adam Allott and Garrity, which was re-run after Adam McKinna fell first turn second lap from third place, Garrity laid his machine down to avoid him. Cook was unstoppable again in heat 5 with the very impressive Branford for another 5-1 putting the Hitmen 12 points clear, 9-21 in another re-run heat following Brown’s fall on the third turn first lap.
Cockle donned the black and white helmet colour for double points in heat 6 but could do nothing about Allott, with Dan Halsey packing in for third this was the first Wildcats heat advantage of the evening. Bethell and Branford hit straight back with a 5-1 in heat 7 before Halsey took a tactical ride in heat 8. Again Allott grabbed the win but Cottham packed in for third for the second heat advantage for the home side to put the scores at 20-32 in a closely contested race.
Mason split Allott and Dallaway in heat 9, Brown again a faller on the third turn, while Branford split the Wildcats pair of Cockle and Halsey in heat 10. McKinna back in the Wildcats line up took the chequered flag in heat 11 inflicting Cooks first defeat of the evening with Dallaway in third after Andrews fell forcing another re-run.
Tom Brown had a great tussle with Bethell for four laps in heat 12 and with Cottham in third in what proved to be the last heat advantage for the Wildcats, again another re-run heat after Dallaway fell third turn second lap. Cook took the spoils in heat 13 from Cockle and Mckinna in a close battle for first place before Mason split Branford and Dallaway in heat 14. Cockle just headed home Cook and Allott in a very close final race to give a meeting result of 41-53.
After the meeting Wildcats chairman Phil Bartlet said “We had to re-declare the side with Adam in to replace Byron as a temporary measure until we are fully aware of how long Bryon will be out of action for. Adam was offered a team spot by another club and for more money but turned it down returning to us showing his loyalty to the club. It shows why they are top of the League and we’re almost bottom, the Aussies they have worked out well for them Garrity riding good although he didn’t have a good night tonight, they could of won by a lot more if he had been on form.
Tom is a real worry for us, by his high standards he isn’t at the races at the moment, we don’t know what it is but it is a real worry for a rider that has ridden well for the club in previous seasons as we have all seen to see his form dive so badly.”
Byron Bekker confirmed that his crash last week has been a real blow to the end of his season “They re-potted my had today at the hospital, it’s a real pot which has to stay on for four weeks and my collar bone has snapped and overlapped each other. When I go back in four weeks to have the pot off they are going to check the collarbone and if it hasn’t healed they will have to pin it which will be about three months before its ready.”
Full meeting details HERE
HITMEN TOO STRONG FOR SUFFERING CATS
By Ky Capel, Dorset Echo ~ Friday 3rd September 2010
WEYMOUTH WILDCATS 41 BUXTON HITMEN 53 - National Trophy
WEYMOUTH Weyline Wildcats were dealt a double blow tonight - losing Byron Bekker for the remainder of the season and then seeing their National Trophy hopes severely dented. The disappointing news regarding Bekker's fitness was announced in the build-up to this evening's clash with Buxton. And to compound the Wildcats' misery, the Hitmen then inflicted a 53-41 defeat on the hosts in a scrappy meeting. It was revealed beforehand that the South African speedster, who snapped his collarbone and broke a knuckle seven days ago, will be out of action for at least another four weeks, with the possibility of that timeframe being extended to three months if the injury fails to heal sufficiently.
Team manager Phil Bartlett said: "It's not good news for him, which is why we had to move swiftly to get Adam McKinna in. He's been good for us all year but having two injuries in one season isn't great. We've been plagued by injuries all season long and had no luck whatsoever on that front. It happens in speedway and you only need to look at Poole last year, who struggled with injuries and finished near the bottom." Reflecting on the loss to Buxton, which leaves the Cats 10 points adrift of the Trophy table-topping Hitmen, Bartlett added: "We were clawing it back at one stage but Buxton had already done the damage. They are top of the league for a reason though, while we're near the bottom."
The club chairman was pleased with the efforts of James Cockle (13+1) and Dan Halsey (8+1) yet remains concerned by the failings of skipper Tom Brown (3). He said: "We said we had concerns with him at the Isle of Wight on Tuesday and to see him score zero points in three of his four rides tonight is abysmal by his standards."
A fall from visiting reserve Lewis Dallaway helped the Cats to a 3-3 draw in the opening heat. However, they found themselves four points adrift after the next outing as Jason Garrity and Dallaway led the Hitmen to their opening maximum. Adam McKinna hit the shale in race four and was excluded from the re-run which, predictably, Buxton won to stretch their lead to eight. Brown repeated the trick in the second attempt at staging heat five - after initially being pulled up for an unsatisfactory start at the first time of asking - and as a result Craig Cook spearheaded another 5-1. The Wildcats responded by claiming their first race advantage of the night. Cockle, promoted to number one in Bekker's absence, finished second while on a tactical ride and he was followed home by team-mate Halsey.
The deficit stood at 14 after seven heats and another spill from McKinna before the Cats clawed two points back with Halsey, although finishing second to Adam Allott, profiting from a tactical ride. The Hitmen, operating rider replacement for Nick Morris, were reduced to five when Garrity, still feeling the effects of a crash in heat four, withdrew from the meeting. Weymouth sensed an opportunity and saw Cockle take their first chequered flag in race 10 with McKinna doing likewise immediately after - breaking Cook's unbeaten run in the process. Brown then held off the challenge of Jonathan Bethell to make it three race wins in a row as the Cats, now 10 points behind, continued their late surge. Heat 13 was shared while Gary Cottham lost control in the penultimate race to extinguish any remaining hope. And a final heat 3-3, which although being won by the impressive Cockle, secured a 12-point victory for the Hitmen.
BEKKER'S D-DAY
By Adam Summers, Dorset Echo ~ Friday 3rd September 2010
BYRON Bekker will find out later today whether he stands any chance of riding for the Weymouth Weyline Wildcats again this season. The South African broke his collarbone and a knuckle in a horror crash in last week’s 52-39 defeat against the Newport Hornets, and this afternoon he will be told the full extent of the damage after undergoing more X-rays.
Bekker suffered the injuries in a heat 10 collision with Tony Atkin, which saw him propelled into the perimeter fence. The meeting was held up for 50 minutes while he received extensive medical treatment but that is not the way the 23-year-old wants to end his 2010 campaign and he is determined to return fighting fit before the end of the season.
He said: “Whenever I have broken anything I have never needed an operation so touch wood this will be the same because if I do need one it will probably put an end to my season, which would be a huge blow because racing is all I want to do. Over the last week my collarbone has actually felt okay. It is difficult at night in terms of getting sleep but it is definitely getting better. I suppose all I can do is just wait to see what they say at the fracture clinic later today.”
Adam McKinna is currently being used as a temporary replacement for Bekker and he will race at number five tonight when the Wildcats host the Buxton Hitmen in the National League Trophy (7.15pm). Following Tuesday’s frustrating 50-43 defeat at the Isle of Wight Islanders in the same competition, Phil Bartlett’s men have to win this evening to keep their hopes of silverware alive. And for Tom Brown, the meeting will be a great chance to redeem himself after his poor run of form hit a new low at the Smallbrook Stadium in the form of a 3+1 return from four races. Richard Andrews will also be hoping for better fortunes after scoring just one point against the Islanders, while Dan Halsey, Karl Mason, James Cockle and Gary Cottham will all look to build on encouraging performances.
Meanwhile, ex-Wildcat and British Under-18 champion Brendan John-son appears to have escaped with no broken bones after taking a heavy fall in heat 14 of the victory over his former club. However, the Isle of Wight star has suffered knee damage and is likely to be on crutches for at least a couple of weeks.
MCKINNA BACK FOR WILDCATS
By Weymouth Speedway ~ Friday 3rd September 2010
Weymouth Weyline Wildcats have brought back Adam McKinna into the team as a short term replacement for the injured Byron Bekker who was sidelined in last Friday night’s encounter with Newport, suffering a broken collarbone and knuckle. Mckinna makes his Wildcats home return tonight against the high flying Buxton Hitmen.
The Wildcats suffered double defeat last Sunday at Buxton and will be eager to put a good show on for their home supporters against one of the sides tipped for title success. This will also be the last opportunity for supporters to watch rising star Craig Cook before he moves full time into the Premier League with Workington next season. Currently Cookie is riding in both Leagues averaging 10.48 for Buxton and 6.89 for Workington.
Tonight’s National League Trophy action gets underway at 7.15pm at the Wessex Stadium.
WEYMOUTH WEYLINE WILDCATS
1. James Cockle, 2. Daniel Halsey, 3. Tom Brown, 4. Karl Mason, 5. Adam McKinna, 6. Richard Andrews, 7. Gary Cottham, Team manager: Phil Bartlett
BUXTON HITMEN
1. Craig Cook, 2. Rider Replacement for Nick Morris, 3. Jonathan Bethell, 4. Robert Branford, 5. Adam Allott (C), 6. Lewis Dallaway, 7. Jason Garrity, Team manager: Jack Lee
REFEREE: Ronnie Allan
WILDCATS SUNK AGAIN ON THE ISLAND
By Weymouth Speedway ~ Wednesday 1st September 2010
Weymouth Weyline Wildcats suffered a fourth defeat at Smallbrook on the Isle of Wight last night with a 50-43 defeat, although this was their best showing this season across the Solent.
Heat 1 saw the Wildcats storm away for a 5-1 from Adam McKinna stepping into the team covering for the injured Byron Bekker being backed up by Dan Halsey. The Islanders reserve pair hit back to level the scores in heat 2 with Tom Hill and Dean Felton over Richard Andrews who led until the middle of turn three and four where he locked up allowing the Islanders pair through and Gary Cottham who started from the 15 meter handicap following a tapes infringement.
Danny Warwick sped away for the home side for heat 3 victory, Tom Brown and Karl Mason packing in to share the points. James Cockle split the Islanders pair of Nick Simmons and Hill in heat 4 with the Islanders taking the advantage, Simmons taking Cockle around the outside of the second turn third lap for the win. Another shared heat in heat 5 Warwick again away at the front with McKinna and Halsey packing in the minor places.
Smethills and Starke combined for a 5-1 for the Islanders in heat 6 over Cockle giving them a 6 point advantage. Mason split Simmons and Felton in heat 7 which saw the Islanders move 8 points up 25-17. Halsey and Cottham after an electric gate hit back for the Wildcats in heat 8 with a 5-1 over Smethills to half the deficit and Cockle kept it even by taking the win in heat 9 over Warwick and Johnson.
The Islanders popped in a 5-1 in heat 10 with Starke and Felton after Smethils failed to beat the two minute time allowance, Brown fell on the first turn and was disqualified from the re-run heat while Mason fell on the last bend but remounted for the point.
Two shared heats followed Simmons over Halsey and Mckinna in heat 11 and Warwick over Cottham and Brown in heat 12 which was re-run following Felton’s disqualification after a first lap, third bend fall. Initially the Wildcats led the race on a 5-1 before Felton hit the deck. The Islanders went 12 points up thanks to a Simmons and Starke 5-1 in heat 13 with Cockle in third after McKinna clipped the second turn fence on the third lap and retired from the race.
Mason came out in black and white for a tactical ride in heat 14 storming away at the front with Cottham behind him and Felton in third to give the Wildcats a chance of a league point going into the last heat just 5 points down. The race was awarded following Johnsons fall on the third turn of the third lap while in third place. After medical treatment and a visit to hospital Johnson has medial compartments damage on his left knee and will be out of action for at least two weeks.
The Islanders did all they had to grabbing all the league points with Cockle splitting Simmons who worked his way from third to first and Warwick to give a meeting result 50-43 in this Trophy fixture.
Wildcats chairman Phil Bartlett said after the meeting “A hugely frustrating meeting by missing out on a league point, also Richard and Tom struggled for points tonight. Tom being excluded after a first bend fall, maybe that should of been called back and later on when we were on a 5-1 Dean Felton falling saw us get a 3-3 in the re-run. If we had had the rub of the green we would have had a league point tonight, it’s hugely frustrating and annoying.”
“Byron Bekker is due to visit the hospital on Friday for more x-rays following last Friday night’s crash where he broke his collarbone and knuckle. We should have a clearer picture of how long he will be out of the saddle. But Adam came in as a guest for him tonight and did very well, Dan had a good meeting and James was solid as ever. Karl also did well getting amongst the point’s tonight top scoring and making the black and white count for us and Gary also did well at reserve. We’ve got to win all our home meetings now and try and grab a point at Plymouth.”
The next challenge for the Wildcats is Friday evening at the Wessex Stadium with Buxton Hitmen the visitors, the fixture gets under way at 7.15pm.
Full meeting details HERE
TROPHY TORTURE
By Adam Summers, Dorset Echo ~ Wednesday 1st September 2010
SAM Knight has admitted that the form of Tom Brown and Richard Andrews is beginning to become a big concern for the Weymouth Weyline Wildcats. The duo failed to produce the goods in last night’s 50-43 defeat at the Isle of Wight, which has all but ended their team’s hopes of winning the National League Trophy. Andrews scored just one point while Brown, a former Islander, claimed 3+1 as the visitors let an encouraging start to the meeting slip through their fingers.
Knight, the Wildcats’ commercial manager, said: “We should have got a point, which would have taken us up to third in the table but now we will need to win all our home meetings and also snatch victories at Plymouth and Newport, which is near impossible. It is so frustrating because we started off really well last night and could have ran them so much closer than seven points. Unfortunately, Tom’s form is beginning to become a big concern although he did have one refereeing decision go against him when he got excluded for an incident on the first bend in heat 10. It was a harsh one but to score just three points is not really good enough. Richard also struggled. He had the lead in his first race but got passed and never got in the mix after that. As for the rest of the line up, they all chipped in. Adam McKinna (6+1) did well until his footrest broke in the final heat while Daniel Halsey (8+2) scored points and Karl Mason (10+1) rode well and won a good tactical ride. James Cockle (9) was again as reliable as ever and Gary Cottham (6+1) got paid eight, which is a great return in the lower order.”
Knight went on to add: “The turning point in the meeting was when they claimed two 5-1s in heats 10 and 13. Before that we had stayed in touch with them really well. We also suffered a bit of bad luck in heat 12 when Dean Felton came off and did not clear the track in time. We were on for a maximum of our own in that race but it was re-run and Danny Warwick got the jump on us, making a possible 5-1 into a 3-3.”
Another rider that experienced a night to forget was ex-Wildcat and current British Under-18 champion Brendan Johnson, who left the meeting in an ambulance after hitting the fence between bends three and four on lap three of heat 14. Knight said: “From what we have been told, Brendan has suffered a leg injury. To be honest I only caught a glimpse of what happened but any fall here is usually a nasty one because it is such a big and fast track. He hit the fence quite hard and everyone at the Wildcats wishes him well with his recovery and hopes his injuries are not serious. He is a lovely lad and hopefully he will be back racing again very soon.”
There was no doubting the identity of the rider of the night with Nick Simmons picking up a 15-point maximum, which included a fantastic win in heat 15 when he produced a great overtaking manoeuvre to beat Cockle to the line.
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