Edinburgh took time off from their faltering defence of the Premier League Cup to secure a convincing if not overwhelming victory over the Isle of Wight. The Islanders might have been expected to provide a stiff challenge with a strong heat leader trio and two very good second strings in Jason Bunyan and Wayne Carter if rather lightweight at reserve. As it happened, while the Islanders second strings did their job the heat leaders were totally dominated by the home top three. The islanders cause was not helped by early injuries to both Anthony Barlow and Danny Bird although it is doubtful if this had any real effect on the outcome.

Both teams were at full strength with the return of Peter Carr for Edinburgh and Danny Bird for the visitors. The latter was possibly too soon as subsequent events proved. Edinburgh reverted to their original line-up with Larsen at number 4 and Gould at number 2 following the incident last week when Carr knocked Larsen into the second bend fence.

The weather was dry and warm. The track had some dirt but needed constant watering and several riders found it tricky.

Ray Morton won the toss and opted for gate position B.

Heat 1: Peter Carr, Phillipe Berge, Jason Bunyan [57.7]

Carr made a fair start but suffered recent problem and seemed to lose power through the second bend. Paul Gould tried a big sweep but went into the first bend fence and was excluded. Carr made no mistake in the re-run and beat Bunyan to the first bend to win while Berge was stuck at the back.

(3-3) (3-3)

Heat 2: Blair Scott, Barry Campbell, Anthony Barlow [Awarded]

Blair Scott gated but Barry Campbell was last away once more. Barlow and Bird both looked in trouble on the first bend allowing Barry to cut inside and pass. The lead was extended until Bird lost it coming out of the second bend on the second lap collecting Barlow. The referee stopped the race and in line with recent practice awarded a 5-1 to Edinburgh. Barlow unfortunately sustained a broken collarbone.

(5-1) (8-4)

Heat 3: Kevin Little, Robert Larsen, Wayne Carter, Ray Morton [59.1]

Larsen gated ahead of Carter and Little. Carter passed Larsen while Morton fell at the back and restarted. Larsen and Little then mounted a double assault with Little going through on the inside while Larsen passed on the outside!

(5-1) (13-5)

Heat 3: Kevin Little, Robert Larsen, Wayne Carter, Ray Morton [59.1]

Larsen gated ahead of Carter and Little. Carter passed Larsen while Morton fell at the back and restarted. Larsen and Little then mounted a double assault with Little going through on the inside while Larsen passed on the outside!

(5-1) (13-5)

Heat 5: Kevin Little, Phillipe Berge, Jason Bunyan, Robert Larsen [58.1]

Little gated for his second win while Larsen missed the gate for once and remained in last place.

(3-3) (20-10)

Heat 6: Peter Carr, Phillipe Berge, Neville Tatum, Paul Gould [57.8]

Phillipe Berge came in as a tactical substitute for Bird. Peter Carr swept ahead of the Frenchman while behind there was a great struggle for third. Tatum had the edge early on until Gould passed him. On the last lap, Tatum passed Gould on the back straight, Gould switched inside and was first out of the last bend but Tatum found the drive to pass just before the line.

(3-3) (23-13)

Heat 7: Kenny McKinna, Ray Morton, Wayne Carter, Blair Scott [58.3]

McKinna had an easy win from Morton. Blair Scott was third and tried to go outside Morton on the third bend but was pushed too wide and Carter slipped inside him.

(3-3) (26-16)

Heat 8: Ray Morton, Jason Bunyan, Barry Campbell [58.9]

Ray Morton came in as a tactical substitute. Paul Gould made a good start but clearly cut across Jason Bunyan forcing him into the fence and was excluded for unfair riding. Morton and Bunyan beat Campbell away for a maximum.

(1-5) (27-21)

Heat 9: Kevin Little, Robert Larsen, Neville Tatum [58.7]

Danny Bird failed to appear due to injury and with no reserve available and the lead at six, there were only three riders. Larsen gated from Tatum but Little came from the back to join his team mate. Larsen looked rather wild at times took the outside line with Little inside him. The Dane nearly hit the second bend fence on the last lap but stayed on.

(5-1) (32-22)

Heat 10: Peter Carr, Ray Morton, Paul Gould, Wayne Carter [57.8]

Carr made it look all too easy beating Morton from the gate while Gould finally got off the mark by beating Carter.

(4-2) (36-24)

Heat 11: Kenny McKinna, Phillipe Berge, Jason Bunyan, Blair Scott [58.2]

McKinna won from Berge while Scott and Bunyan slugged it out with Bunyan. Scott had several tries to go around Bunyan and while he appeared to have made it on one occasion was pegged back.

(3-3) (39-27)

Heat 12: Kevin Little, Neville Tatum, Ray Morton, Barry Campbell [58.8]

Neville Tatum replaced Danny Bird as a tactical substitute but could not prevent Kevin Little taking his fourth win. Barry Campbell was last away but had a real go at Ray Morton passing him on one occasion but being re-passed.

(3-3) (42-30)

Heat 13: Peter Carr, Kenny McKinna, Phillipe Berge, Neville Tatum [57.6]

All too easy after McKinna beat off a strong challenge from Berge.

(5-1) (47-31)

Heat 14: Wayne Carter, Blair Scott, Robert Larsen [58.8]

Three riders once more. Why was there no tactical substitution to bring in Jason Bunyan? Carter slipped ahead on the first lap and won after a good ride.

(3-3) (50-34)

Heat 15: Peter Carr, Phillipe Berge, Kevin Little, Ray Morton [57.9]

Kenny McKinna again sat out the top scorers' race despite a paid maximum. Edinburgh's two riders on full maximums came out to face Berge and Morton. While Carr completed his full maximum, Little missed out after being outgated by Berge.

(4-2) (54-36)