Fen Tigers knew they'd been in a match

The Mildenhall Fen Tigers went to the top of the National Development League table with today's 48-41 victory, but they knew they were in a fight and it would not have taken much to swing the match the way of the Stellar Academy.

Team boss Scott Wilson ended the match a little frustrated that things hadn't worked out differently. "This was one we let slip, there's no question about it," he said. "Some mistakes and the track catching us out in a couple of instances have cost us a win.

"I felt at the heat 10 interval that we were in with a great chance of winning, looking at the remaining heats. After pulling ourselves back to within 1 point we just couldn't finish the job.

"However we have pushed a good side all the way and put ourselves in contention to collect the aggregate point at home later in the season."

The early stages were over-eventful on a difficult track with riders on both sides coming off when well placed. Adam Roynon had heat 3 in the bag, and likewise Lee Complin in heat 4, but both were last bend fallers!

Dayle Wood won heats 2 and 8 and a lot was clearly going to depend on him, the strongest reserve. Max Clegg (heat 5) and Jacob Hook (heat 9 also landed crucial race wins and after Hook's 3-pointer we were just a point down.

Micky Simpson lost an important point by falling in heat 11 but we got that back with a 4-2 from Adam and Dayle in heat 12 and with just a point deficit we were still well in things with three heats to go.

Jacob Hook did well to pass Bowtell in heat 13 but we lost that 4-2 and the final nail in our victory hopes was a 5-1 loss in heat 14 when Dayle came to grief.

A very good win for Hook in heat 15 over Complin and Bowtell completed the match.

Frustrating Fact: Our missing second string Alex Spooner scored paid 48 in his final 3 league matches at Mildenhall last season. Sadly though he remains unfit and not really optimistic about a speedy return. Obviously Jamie Halder in spite of his best efforts could not compensate for that.

Academy On The Road Again

It's another weekend on the road for the Stellar Monarchs academy as they head for Mildenhall in NDL action.

Scott Wilson's men looking to build on their excellent win at Berwick last time out will face the challenge of being down two of their regular septet with both Kyran Lyden and Alex Spooner absent.

Lyden suffering a repeat of his shoulder injury in that match at Shielfield and Spooner still on the mend from his broken collarbone.

Rider replacement will operate for Lyden with Berwick's Jamie Halder stepping in for Spooner, Halder having raced to 9+2 in the Bullets visit earlier in the year.

Elsewhere Mickie Simpson races on after his own misfortune recently burns to his leg sufficiently healed after his bike fire.

The rest of the Academy are as expected as they look to be the first to take victory at West Row this season.

The Fen Tigers have a potent looking side of their own though especially at the top end where all of the top four have Championship experience.

Alfie Bowtell is at number one with double digit points to his name in every home match so far and with backup from Lee Complin, Ben Trigger and George Congreve it is easy to see why the Suffolk men have made their home track their own.

Josh Warren is a key man at reserve and his battles with Simpson and Dayle Wood could prove crucial.

Tapes up at 4pm with reaction to follow shortly after.

Mildenhall DJS Fen Tigers proudly sponsored by Manchetts Rescue and Recovery: Alfie Bowtell, Arran Butcher, Ben Trigger, George Congreve, Lee Complin, William Richardson, Josh Warren

Edinburgh Stellar Monarchs Academy: Max Clegg, R/R Kyran Lyden, Adam Roynon, Jamie Halder, Jacob Hook, Mickie Simpson, Dayle Wood