Mildenhall Fen Tigers 55 Buxton Hitmen 35

A weakened Mildenhall ‘KJM/Manchetts’ Fen Tigers produced another fine home performance to continue what has been a very promising start to their campaign.

Already missing captain Jordan Jenkins and Sam Bebee, the unavailability of Danny Ayres meant a return to the side for 2017 Fen Tiger Sam Woods.

But the Fen Tigers continued their winning ways, running out 55-35 victors over the Buxton Hitmen in today’s National League clash.

After a drawn opening heat, won by the impressive visitor Ben Wilson, the Fen Tigers gradually clicked into gear as the meeting progressed.

Operating Rider Replacement for Bebee allowed team boss Phil Kirk to give additional rides to Matt Marson and Ryan Kinsley.

Both responded positively with Marson returning his best score (7 paid 10) whilst Kinsley reeled off three fine wins in the second half of the meeting with some fine moves around the outside as he recorded a season best of paid 14 points.

With Josh Bailey and Drew Kemp both producing some sparkling rides and Anders Rowe and Woods scoring in every ride the result was never in doubt and the Fen Tigers ran out 55-35 winners to claim their first League points.

Promoter Kevin Jolly was pleased with the team’s performance following a difficult evening for everyone at Birmingham on Wednesday.

“I was very impressed with how the lads performed today,” he said.

“We spoke to them before the meeting about Wednesday (where Birmingham’s Mitchell Davey suffered horrific injuries) and how we needed to try to put that behind us now and move forward again. They responded well and although it was disappointing to have to go without Sam today using R/R for him allowed some important extra track time for both Ryan and Matt and I am pleased to say both responded how we hoped.

“Matt scored well today and looked much more confident and this will have helped him without doubt.

“Ryan showed us what we had seen at Press and Practice Day and knew he had in his locker, his win in heat ten seemed to lift him and his wins in heats 14 and 15 were superb. With the whole team now firing we move onto a big meeting against Eastbourne next Sunday full of confidence.”

Mildenhall Fen Tigers: Drew Kemp 13+2 (7 rides), Ryan Kinsley 13+1 (6), Josh Bailey 11+2 (5), Anders Rowe 8+1 (4), Matt Marson 7+3 (5), Sam Woods 3+3 (3) and R/R Sam Bebee

Buxton ‘Hitmen: Ben Wilson 15 (6 rides), David Wallinger 10 (6), Kieran Douglas 4+1 (5), Lewis Whitmore 3 (5), Tom Woolley 3 (5), Sam Woolley 0 (3) and R/R Connor Coles