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| |  | BIRMINGHAM moved back into the play-off places with a 54-36 home win over the Isle of Wight - despite losing star reserve Taylor Hampshire.
After winning Heat Two with ease, the 16-year-old was well clear again in his second outing.
But he picked up too much grip and crashed into the back straight fence before the bike jolted back and hit him in the face.
He sustained a nasty eye injury and was forced to withdraw from the rest of the meeting.
With the Surestop Brummies handing a National League debut to local lad James Chattin as well, the reigning Champions needed their top five to step up to the plate - and they did just that.
Captain Jack Parkinson-Blackburn led by example as he stormed to a faultless maximum - the second of his career.
Fellow heat-leader Liam Carr also went unbeaten by an opposition rider while Tom Bacon was only denied that feat himself when his bike took off into the air fence in his third ride.
With both Layne Cupitt and David Mason providing solid back-up as well, the Brummies were able to maintain their unbeaten home league record.
Boss Graham Drury said: "Again I cannot fault the lads - it was another impressive team performance.
"When Taylor crashed the way he did in heat four, it really was a heart stopping moment because it looked really awkward.
"But somehow he's walked away from it more-or-less unscathed and has got just a black eye to show for it; fingers crossed after a day of rest he'll be okay to ride at Lakeside on Friday.
"Our top five were tremendous tonight and full credit to all of them but I have to pay particular credit to Jack Parkinson-Blackburn tonight.
"That was a true captain's performance and I say this a hell of a lot, but it really is hard to remember at times that he is only 16-years-old.
"All of the lads can be proud of themselves tonight and it's another important three points to start our busy period off.
"A word for our unsung heroes tonight - the track staff. We had an unbelievable amount of rain in the build-up to the meeting, but they worked tirelessly just to get that meeting on so fair play to them."
The Brummies head to fellow play-off contenders Lakeside on Friday who are unbeaten on home shale this season.
BIRMINGHAM 54: Jack Parkinson-Blackburn 15, Liam Carr 13+2, Tom Bacon 9, Layne Cupitt 7+1, David Mason 7+1, Taylor Hampshire 3, James Chattin 0.
ISLE OF WIGHT 36: James Cockle 8, Connor Coles 7, Ben Wilson 6, Jamie Sealey 4+4, Scott Campos 4+1, Adam Portwood 4, Chris Widman 3+1.
Picture: JOHN HIPKISS
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