By Bryn Williams WIGHTLINK Islanders, despite being without injured reserve Gary Phelps, stormed to an emphatic 55-35 victory over Exeter Falcons at Smallbrook on Tuesday.
And in doing so, they collected three more valuable league points to keep them among the forerunners for this year's Premier League title.
The Islanders dominated proceedings throughout and were never troubled, so much so that they could afford the
luxury of giving Phelps' replacement, 16-year-old Steve Braidford, his full quota of four rides.
Despite not scoring in any of them, he showed plenty of potential and could well become a fully-fledged Islander in the future.
Once again it was Australian ace Adam Shields who led Tuesday's romp, winning each of his five races to complete an impeccable 15-point maximum. And skipper Ray Morton was in maximum mood, too, winning his first four outings before following Shields home in second place in the last heat for a maximum five points.
Solid performances from Danny Bird and classy Dane Henning Bager contributed to what was another handsome victory for the very much in-form Islanders. Recent IW signing Gary Phelps is hoping to be back in action for next Tuesday's home Premier League match against Berwick after sustaining a nasty hand injury during the home win over Newport a week last Tuesday.
He went straight to his local hospital after the meeting and underwent an operation on the Wednesday morning to repair tendon damage around the middle finger of the left hand. That operation proved successful and the injury was encased in plaster that doctors indicated should stay in place for two to three weeks.
However in typical speedway rider fashion Gary "accidentally" cut off the cast earlier this week!
"The injury was a real downer," he said after watching the Islanders demolish Exeter at Smallbrook on Tuesday, "especially as I'm really pleased to be back on the Island and the fact that I'd won my opening race before the accident happened.
"Thankfully the operation was a success and I'm determined to be back riding against Berwick on Tuesday."
Looking ahead, Ray Morton and Adam Shields can expect to have a large number of fans on the terraces at Workington's Derwent Park when they bid to win the Premier pairs early next month.
"It's an awfully long way for our fans to travel," said Stone, "but the supporters club coach is filling up fast and we all believe that our duo have a great chance of taking the title."