Mildenhall Fen Tigers 55, King’s Lynn Young Stars 40 (National League Knock Out Cup 1st Round, 1st Leg)

MILDENHALL Fen Tigers go into tomorrow’s National Shield decider with Dudley in confident mood after surviving a late meeting comeback to claim a healthy-looking lead for the second leg of their Knock Out Cup clash with local rivals King’s Lynn Young Stars at the Norfolk Arena next month.

Led by maximum men Cameron Heeps and Daniel Halsey, the Tigers were in control of the match up until Heat 11 when King’s Lynn got their first race winner, as visiting skipper James Cockle came home first, followed by team mate Brendan Johnson, that coming two races after the Young Stars had finally claimed their first heat advantage.

When King’s Lynn followed that with a maximum 8-1, as Lewis Kerr took a double points tactical win with team mate Tom Stokes behind him, the match took on a different complexion, with Mildenhall suddenly finding themselves just five points in front.

But Fen Tigers’ captain Lewis Blackbird rallied his troops in the pits and on the track as he and teenage sensation Heeps claimed two 5-1s in the last three heats, sandwiched around a 4-2 from Halsey and the again hugely impressive 15-year-old Nathan Stoneman.

Afterwards co-promoter Michael Lee declared himself happy with the result. “Fifteen points was the sort of lead we were looking for, and I’m sure if the boys dig deep again, we can get through to the next round, because there’s nothing we want more than to keep the KO Cup at West Row.”

The Fen Tigers’ teenage reserve Josh Bates is a doubt for the second leg of the National Shield at Dudley on Tuesday. He damaged his shoulder and arm in a frightening looking spill in Heat 8 and is due to have x-rays to assess the damage today (Monday).

“We hope Josh will be fit but until he has been to hospital we won’t know what the damage is,” Lee continued. “Whatever happens the rest of the boys are now raring to go. We may only have a one point lead but we have an excellent record at Monmore Green and, although it’ll be tough, we can still bring the Shield back to Suffolk.”

Meanwhile, Fen Tigers’ stars Joe Jacobs and Stefan Nielsen are through to the British Under-21 Final later this month after qualifying from Saturday’s semi-final at Stoke. And in the British Youth Championships at Leicester on Saturday, Josh Bates and Nathan Stoneman finished first and second in the 500cc class final. Lewis Whitmore finished third in the 250cc class final.

Mildenhall Fen Tigers:

Cameron Heeps 3 3 3 3 3 = 15

Joe Jacobs 1 0 3 2’ = 6+1

Stefan Nielsen 1 2’ X 1 = 4+1

Daniel Halsey 3 3 3 3 = 12

Lewis Blackbird (c) 3 3 1 2’ 2’ = 11+2

Nathan Stoneman 3 2’ 0 0 1 = 6+1

Josh Bates X 1 X = 1

King’s Lynn Young Stars:

James Cockle (c) 2 0 4 3 0 1 = 10

Brendan Johnson 0 2 1 1’ 2’ = 6+2

Lewis Kerr 0 1 1 6 1 0 = 9

Adam Lowe 2 1’ 0 0 0 = 3+1

Jake Knight R/R

Tom Stokes 2 2 1’ 2’ 2 = 9+2

Scott Campos 1’ 0 2 = 3+1