THURSDAY night was a special one for Isle of Wight speedway fans and Wightlink Warriors rider Arran Butcher after he successfully defended his Island Masters title at Smallbrook Stadium.

The Hinckley-based rider retained the Island Masters with a smash-and-grab raid — seeing off previously unbeaten Warrior team-mate, Chad Wirtzfeld, in the grand final.

As the heats unfolded, it looked for all the world the title was going Wirtzfeld’s way as he delivered four impressive race wins during qualification, including a stunning pass on Butcher in the opening heat.

Wirtzfeld picked off opponents with ease, racing off a handicap marker.

Meanwhile, Butcher was clearly struggling for speed, but it was only in his fourth and final qualifying race he looked comfortable.

His nine points in qualification was matched by James Laker, who battled hard all night, while the fourth grand finalist was wily campaigner, Wayne Broadhurst.

With the choice of gate in the final, Wirtzfeld opted for gate four, while his biggest rival, Butcher, took gate two.

It proved a wise choice, as he bolted from the tapes, found the dirt line around bends one and two, and headed for home with Wirtzfeld in hot pursuit.

And try as he might, Wirtzfeld just could not find a way to close on the leader, who celebrated passing the chequered flag first with a fist pump — a combination of delight and relief, with Wirtzfeld's disappointment clear to see.

Attention now turns to two big meetings at Smallbrook on Tuesday and Thursday, as the women race off for the NORA British Championships title over both nights, with Katie Gordon the favourite to defend her title.

The Wight Pairs and NORA British Open Championships have attracted plenty of interest, with several Smallbrook favourites invited to take part.