Wightlink Islanders are gearing up for an exciting new season at Smallbrook Stadium.

The new Islanders side featuring winter signings in Australian teenager Cory Gathercole and New Zealander Andrew Bargh, open their home campaign with a Premier Trophy fixture against Mildenhall Fen Tigers on April 3 - but travel to Welsh side Newport two days earlier, again in the Trophy.

There will be action aplenty at Smallbrook Stadium on Tuesdays (7.30pm - gates open 6pm) until the end of October - with many experts within the sport tipping the new-look squad as potential Premier League champions.

Returning from last year are Polish rider Kryzysztof Stojanowski, Australian Under-21 champion Chris Holder, who many see as a future world champion, the hard-riding Jason Bunyan and talented young reserve Chris Johnson.

Southampton-based Glen Phillips returns to Smallbrook after riding for the Somerset Rebels in 2006.

There was more good news for the Wightlink Islanders management from the southern hemisphere this week with three of their 2007 septet gaining further honours.

Cory Gathercole was a worthy winner of the Victoria State Championship at Mildura in Australia while fellow new signing Andrew Bargh became the New Zealand champion at Ruapuna, with former champ and fellow Islander Jason Bunyan finishing third.

Wightlink team manager Dave Croucher said: "I can't remember the last time I looked forward to the start of a season as much as this year.