KO CUP First round, first leg Coventry Storm 45, Mildenhall Fen Tigers 47

MILDENHALL Fen Tigers opened the defence of their KO Cup crown in perfect style with a gritty first leg win away at Coventry Storm on Friday night.

Already missing Stefan Nielsen, away on Premier League duty with Somerset, fans’ favourite Jon Armstrong was ruled out before the start following the birth of his new daughter.

But superbly led by Ipswich’s teenage sensation Adam Ellis guesting for Nielsen, the rest of the Fen Tigers again showed the spirit that’s typified their success in the last few seasons, digging deep to gain a crucial lead ahead of next weekend’s second leg at West Row.

Ellis was unstoppable, racing to four brilliant wins , shattering the Coventry National League track record in the process before coming to grief in a titanic battle with former Fen Tiger favourite Joe Jacobs, in what proved to be his final ride of the night as he departed battered and bruised but otherwise seemingly unscathed.

Mildenhall’s own teenage star of the future Josh Bates was in excellent form, while skipper Danny Halsey played the captain’s role perfectly again with a steady 10, as the other Fen Tigers chipped in with vital points throughout the meeting.

Try as they might, after Mildenhall’s strong start, the Storm, led by Jacobs, couldn’t find a way back into the meeting although a final heat 5-1 from Jacobs and Robert Branford kept Coventry in the tie.

Mildenhall club chairman Kevin Jolly is aware the job is only half done. “It was a great performance from the boys and we can’t thank Adam Ellis enough for what he did for us. But the Storm gave a good account of themselves in the league at our place a few weeks ago, so we can’t afford to be complacent next weekend.”

Coventry Storm = 45

1. Joe Jacobs F, 3, 3, 3, 2’ = 11+1

2. Richard Franklin 1, 0, 2, F = 3

3. Robert Branford 0, 2, 3, 6!, 3 = 14

4. Brendan Johnson 1, 1’, 0, 2 = 4+1

5. James Sarjeant 3, 2, 2, EF = 7

6. Tommy Fenwick 3, 0, 0, 0 = 3

7. Martin Knuckey 1, Fx, 1’, 1 = 3+1

Mildenhall Fen Tigers = 47

1. Adam Ellis (G) 3, 3, 3, 3, Fx = 12

2. Aaron Baseby 2’, 0, 3, 1’, 1 = 7+2

3. Josh Bates 2’, 3, 2, F, 3, Fx = 10+1

4. Jon Armstrong R/R (AE: 3), (DH: 1), (AB: 1’), (JB: 3) = (8+1)

5. Daniel Halsey 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 1 = 10

6. Liam Rumsey 2, 1’, 1’, 2, 1 = 7+2

7. Nathan Stoneman X, 1’, Fx = 1+1