Mildenhall ‘Fen Tigers’ recorded a narrow 47-43 win over the Buxton ‘Hitmen’ 43 in the Derbyshire Dales, to pick up three away National Trophy points.

After sharing the first two heats the Fen Tigers asserted themselves in heat three, Josh Bates and Jon Armstrong combining for a 5-1 over Adam McKinna and Tom Woolley to give the visitors a four-point advantage.

Sharp gates from captain Dan Halsey and Stefan Nielsen followed in heats four and five as the visitors extended their lead to six.

An unlucky exclusion for Liam Rumsey in heat six saw the Hitmen start to edge back into the contest and by heat 10 there were only two points separating the sides.

Another swift start from No.1 Nielsen left Buxton guest Branford trailing in heat 11 and a third place from Aaron Baseby saw the Fen Tigers stretch their lead to four points.

With drawn heats in 12 and 13 the meeting looked to be swaying back in Buxton’s favour in heat 14 when Armstrong touched the tapes and was excluded. However, a fine ride from the Mildenhall reserve pairing saw the heat drawn and the Fen Tigers went into heat 15 with an important four-point advantage.

Although Nielsen again flew from the gate, unfortunately his partner, the impressive Bates, couldn’t make any impression on the Buxton pairing.

Although taking the victory, the failure to take the fourth away point has all but handed the National Trophy to the Isle of Wight and the Fen Tigers will now concentrate on the League and Cup.