Kent Kings lost their opening National Trophy speedway fixture at home to Isle of Wight on Monday night.

The Islanders have been tipped to win the competition and they showed exactly why during a comprehensive 44-22 win at Sittingbourne’s Central Park.

Steve Boxall won the opening heat for Kings but the visitors quickly got into their stride and skipper Ben Hopwood led by example during three unbeaten rides.

Kent’s Jack Kingston had a mixed night, winning heat four but later leaving the stadium in an ambulance after suffering a heavy fall in heat eight. The 17-year-old was thrown to the track as his bike careered through the fence after catching Brandon Freemantle’s back wheel on the third bend.

Track conditions became tricky as rain started to fall and it was the Islanders who adapted much better. Boxall, going for double points in heat 10, was cut short by a blown engine and referee Dale Entwistle abandoned the meeting one heat later – but the result stands.

Kings team manager John Sampford said: “Taking nothing away from the Isle of Wight who are a very good side, we weren’t helped by losing Jack Kingston from a heavy fall, and when Steve Boxall’s engine blew up when he was on a tactical ride it summed up the evening really. Everything was going against us, and then the heavens opened and that was it.”