Isle of Wight Islanders 47 Newport Hornets 43.

THE Drillerman Hornets failed to land a fourth successive win tonight when they lost against the Isle of Wight Islanders, whose former Newport rider Nick Simmons top scored for them in tonight's British National League fixture.

The Hornets were 34-26 down with only five heats left, but a 4-2 win, a couple of 3-3 draws and a brilliant 5-1 from James White-Williams and Matt Bates produced a last-race decider.

However a 4-2 for the home team from from the 15th and final race meant the Islanders hung for a 2-1 match win.

Isle of Wight Islanders 47: 1 - Nick Simmons (capt) 13(5); 2 - Gary Cottham 5(4); 3 - Rob Smith 12(5); 4 - Paul Starke 4+2 (4); 5 - Danny Warwick 9+2(4); 6 - Rikki Mullins (guest) 4(4); 7 - Luke Chessell 0(4).

Newport Drillerman Hornets 43: 1 - Todd Kurtz 14(5); 2 - Tom Young 3(4); 3 - Brendan Johnson 7(4); 4 - Matt Bates 2+1(4); 5 - Jay Herne (capt) 6(5); 6 - Richard Andrew 2(3); 7 James White-Williams 9+3(5).

* Newport Drillermen Hornets are next in home action on Bank Holiday Monday, August 29 against King's Lynn - tapes up at 6.00pm at Queensway Meadows Stadium.