Speedway event pays tribute to former Warriors team manager
The Steve Piper Memorial Trophy took place at Smallbrook Stadium on August 5, featuring teams from the Isle of Wight, Cradley, and Weymouth.
Cradley, led by riders James Shanes and Charlie Wood, secured the top spot with 33 points.
Weymouth followed closely with 29 points, thanks to the outstanding performance of Darryl Ritchings, who was loaned to the team by the Warriors.
Vintage racing bikes on the track (Image: I.GROVES) The Isle of Wight Warriors, despite a strong showing from 15-year-old Ryan Ingram, finished with 28 points.
The event was attended by a large crowd, witnessing intense competition and several memorable moments. One such moment involved Charlie Wood, who, after a brilliant display of racing, unfortunately crashed into the safety fence, resulting in injuries.
The presentations were made by Steve Piper's son.
READ MORE: Cyclist breaks course record before top ten finish in national race
In a separate event, the British JAP Championship, fans enjoyed a nostalgic experience with bikes from the 1940s to 60s.
Dean Felton emerged victorious, winning all his races.
More track action is scheduled at Smallbrook on August 12 with the annual Best Pairs event and the Women's British Championship, promising another exciting evening for speedway fans.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Florian Wirtz bats away price-tag questions following Anfield debut
Liverpool's marquee summer signing Florian Wirtz has insisted that his record-breaking price tag will not affect his performances as he prepares for his debut Premier League season. The 22-year-old German attacking midfielder could become the most expensive player in British football history, with the total cost of his transfer from Bayer Leverkusen potentially rising to £116 million if all add-ons are triggered. Despite the scrutiny that comes with such a fee, Wirtz remains calm and focused. Speaking to reporters after Liverpool's pre-season friendly against Athletic Club, the former Bundesliga star made it clear that the financial side of the move is not something that concerns him. 'I just want to play football and how much money the clubs pay between each other, it doesn't matter,' said Wirtz. 'I came because I thought I could fit in this team and I am enjoying staying with these players. I am a player who needs freedom on the pitch and the manager gives it to me.' Wirtz also spoke about his role in the team and how he hopes to contribute in the final third, adding: 'I will try to find the right places to be and the right spaces to get on the ball and to be dangerous and create chances.' Having spent his entire professional career in Germany until now, Wirtz admitted that moving to England has been a significant step, but one he is embracing. He praised the support of his new team-mates, many of whom are also recent arrivals, saying that having others to share the transition with has made settling in easier. 'They tell me it's more intense and more physical and that every player is really strong, really fast,' he said of the Premier League. 'I am really looking forward to play there and experience some differences to Germany, but I think there is also something I can learn that will make me better.' Wirtz added that he is already looking ahead to the team's title defence, knowing the difficulty of repeating such success. 'The big challenge is to win the title again and it is the most difficult thing to do,' he said. 'I will just try to create chances and work hard off the ball and run a lot to help make the team better.' As the season approaches, all eyes will be on Wirtz to see whether he can match the hype and deliver in one of the world's most competitive leagues. If his attitude and early performances are any indication, Liverpool fans may have good reason to be optimistic. 📸 Carl Recine - 2025 Getty Images
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Aussie ace Gardner fires Rockets again in England
Ash Gardner briefly held her head in her hands as she feared she may have blown her side's chances of survival in the Hundred, but ultimately it was her captain's hand that kept the Trent Rockets' flickering hopes alive. The star Australian allrounder's brilliant spin control, taking 2-10 off her 20 balls including the key wicket of Meg Lanning, eventually proved enough to pave the way for the Rockets' six-wicket win at the London home of the Oval Invincibles on Thursday. It was only the Nottingham-based side's second win of the campaign and still may not be enough to help them edge their way into the playoffs. The captain strikes 👏#TheHundred | #RoadToTheEliminator — The Hundred (@thehundred) August 21, 2025 But, ultimately, the skipper was relieved they're still in the tournament at all after she gave away her wicket cheaply while the Rockets attempted to chase down the Invincibles' modest 7-109. With the chase seemingly under control and having just struck a couple of sweet boundaries, Gardner holed out inexplicably to long-on for 11 off the tricky spin of her compatriot Amanda Jade Wellington (1-15) to suddenly plunge her side into a dog-fight. Clearly mad with herself, she had head gloomily in hands in the dugout, knowing defeat would eliminate the Rockets, which looked a distinct possibility when they then slipped to 4-75. But a cool unbroken partnership between another Australian international Heather Graham (19no off 11 balls, including a six and two fours) and Jodi Grewcock (21no off 14) took the Rockets to victory with 16 balls to spare. Lanning, Australia's greatest women's captain who's enjoying a pressure-free spell without the skipper's armband for the Invincibles, had been fuming at herself too earlier when she looked to be guiding the home side to a decent total. Going well on 45 off 35 balls, featuring one six and six fours, Lanning, the competition's top-scorer with 247 runs, looked disgusted when she tried to clear the ropes off Gardner, only to get caught at long-on by England international Nat Sciver-Brunt. Straight after, Gardner also captured the other key batter, South African star Marizanne Kapp, who chipped one straight back to her for a soft caught and bowled. Wily Aussie legspinner Alana King then got in on the act, having Wellington stumped off her legspin. Graham, who had a fine allround game, also chipped in with a wicket (1-27). Both the Rockets and the Invincibles must now win their remaining two matches and hope results go in their favour elsewhere to finish in the top-three in the group stage.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Crystal Palace take one-goal lead into Conference League play-off second leg
Crystal Palace edged to a narrow advantage in their Conference League play-off as Jean-Philippe Mateta's strike secured a 1-0 first-leg win over Norwegian cup winners Fredrikstad. The FA Cup winners were demoted from the League Phase of the Europa League and forced to play a Conference League qualifier, due to a perceived breach of multi-club ownership regulations. Welcoming their team onto the pitch for their maiden European clash under the lights at Selhurst Park, the Palace support belted an impassioned rendition of Glad All Over. However, they soon made their feelings towards Uefa clear, booing the Conference League anthem – which is amusingly the same as the Europa League theme – before chanting in unison: F**k Uefa, F**k John Textor, F**k Marinakis. Palace hold that trio accountable for their downgrade to the third tier of European competition. It was an anticlimactic start for Palace, without starman Eberechi Eze who is nearing a move to London neighbours Arsenal, with Fredrikstad's disciplined defensive shape neutralising their threat. There was little creative pizzazz from Palace, who were reliant on punts from deep to tot up 13 shots in the first half. Intrinsically, Oliver Glasner's outfit are optimal against more ambitious sides, with bursting runs in behind from Ismaila Sarr easily found with incisive through balls between the lines. A style of play suited to the English game. But as one of the favourites in the competition, Palace will need to find answers, with opponents likely to sit deep and make life difficult for the English side. Palace sought solutions, Adam Wharton frequently dinked balls from deep into the Fredrikstad penalty area, attempting to break their compact shape. Sarr had a chance to nod one of those crosses home when found at the far post, Martin Børsheim produced an impressive stop. Hughes brought down a punt into the area by Justin Devenny, the ball fell for Jean-Philippe Mateta, whose effort deflected onto the post. There was pragmatism from Palace, as they attempted to work out how to deal with the difficult Fredrikstad, but for much of the first half, they were too flat. Mateta found Palace's first in Europe, when Fredrikstad failed to deal with Borna Sosa's long throw. A pair of Will Hughes volleys followed from the edge of the box, the second of which flew towards Mateta's head, who instinctively used his head to divert Hughes' attempt into the back of the net in the 54th minute. An imperfect move finally paid off. Palace upped the ante after they opened their European account, the link-ups were smoother, the play was not as clunky, and they started to occupy higher areas of the pitch. Daniel Munoz almost added a second when his compatriot Jefferson Lerma spotted him alone at the back post, but his attempt could only be guided onto the post. It could have been a disastrous end when a tempting ball down the left unlocked the Palace defence in the third minute of four added on. Henrik Skogvold drove into the penalty area, but dragged his effort hopelessly wide of the Palace net. Dean Henderson and all inside Selhurst Park breathed a sigh of relief. Palace will need to better their display when they head to foreign soil (well, astroturf) next week as they look to book their spot in the League Phase of the Conference League.
