THE Wightlink Warriors surrendered their unbeaten start to the season to a powerful Cradley side in the final race on last Thursday's meeting at Smallbrook on the Isle of Wight.

In what turned out to be a thriller for the fans, it was nip-and-tuck throughout — conjuring up more than its fair share of talking points — ending 46-44 to Cradley Heathens.

This fixture was the first of two legs to decide the Vince Mapley Memorial Trophy.

Warriors registered their first win of the night when Brayden McGuinness outpaced the Heathens' Connor Coles, in a close tussle with Wirtzfeld, a useful third.

The Warriors had clawed back the early deficit to level the scores at 12-12.

The competition then allowed the nomination of two riders from the opposition to take a 15m handicap, which the Heathens took advantage of.

After Cradley went into a 23-19 lead, McGuinness pulled off a stylish win, and after the ninth heat it was all square again 27-27.

The Heathens again got their noses in front which reached 37-35 to them after two more shared heats.

The Warriors levelled the scores again in Heat 13, thank to McGuinness and George Congreve, but the visitors pulled two points ahead going into the final race.

An absorbing match came down to Jake Turner and McGuinness to try to win it for the Warriors.

But there was high drama before the race even began as McGuinness failed to appear in time and took a 15m handicap.

Turner won the race, but the two Heathens riders tucked in behind to share the points and win the contest.

Afterwards, Warriors co-owner, Barry Bishop, said: “Wow! What a cracking meeting. So near and yet so far for the Warriors. 

"Both sides provided us with great racing, bags of excitement and a bit of controversy, but overall, a super night out for all the fans. 

Team manager Steve Piper told fans not to worry — confident his team "are very capable of reversing a two-point deficit next time."
                                                         SCORERS
Warriors: Jake Turner 9, George Congreve 10+1, Arran Butcher 10+1, Brayden McGuinness 13, Chad Wirtzfeld 2.
Cradley: Steve Boxall 14, Jacob Clouting 6+1, Lee Complin 13, Chris Widman 2, Connor Coles 9+1, Chris Watts 2+2.