Following a successful opening meeting last weekend the ‘KJM/Manchetts’ Fen Tigers roar into action with three team matches across the Easter period.

They get underway on Good Friday (6.30pm) at Central Park, Sittingbourne where the opposition is the Kent Kings in the 1st leg of the Easter Chase challenge.

The Fen Tigers will travel with some confidence as their 2017 line-up features two ex-Kings in Danno Verge and Sam Woods plus Connor Mountain who finished 2nd in the 2016 British U21 Semi Final at the Kent track last season, a meeting Luke Ruddick unluckily missed out on making the final. With Danny Halsey and Jon Armstrong having posted big numbers in previous visits plus Jordan Jenkins at reserve there is cause for optimism.

That said Kent have built a well balanced side with experienced Luke Bowen leading the way and ably backed up by two ex-Fen Tigers, the returning Nathan Stoneman plus Ben Hopwood. Norfolk based Jack Thomas is another highly promising youngster in the sport who will be looking to step up again after an excellent first season whilst young Alex Spooner will be familiar to Mildenhall supporters having been a regular in the Fen Tiger Cubs side last year.

The second leg of this challenge will take place on Sunday at Mildenhall Stadium (parade 2.45pm, first race 3pm). The line ups for both meetings are -

Mildenhall: 1. Connor Mountain 8.73, 2. Luke Ruddick 3.10, 3. Jon Armstrong 7.82 (C), 4. Danno Verge 4.43, 5. Danny Halsey 8.64, 6. Sam Woods 3.00 7. Jordan Jenkins 3.00.

Kent: 1. Luke Bowen 9.42 (C), 2. Luke Clifton 4.22, 3. Ben Hopwood 5.83, 4. Jack Thomas 5.83, 5. Nathan Stoneman 6.98, 6. Bradley Andrews 3.07, 7. Alex Spooner 3.00.

Following the Easter Chase it is National League action for the first time in 2017 as the Fen Tigers head to old foes Cradley Heathens on Monday, (7.30pm). Cradley have already shown their potential with a 61-29 beating of Kings Lynn ‘Young Stars’ before travelling to double league winners Birmingham where they came away victors 47-43! Led by charismatic Danny Ayres and Tom Perry this will be a stern test of the Fen Tigers credentials at an early stage of the season.

With Connor Mountain riding for Ipswich in the Championship, Mildenhall promoter Kevin Jolly has turned to Ellis Perks to guest for the Fen Tigers. Perks has made a fine start to the season for his Premiership club Rye House and qualified with Mountain for the British U21 Final on Tuesday.

Promoter Kevin Jolly admitted: “Sunday was a super afternoon with many of our brilliant sponsors and everyone enjoyed a fine meeting, but now the real business starts! Make no mistake, although a challenge in name we are going all out for victory as we will in every meeting. I am pleased we have the two fixtures with Kent to really dial our lads into the season before the big one on Monday at Cradley.

Although we will miss Connor (Mountain) I feel I have found a good replacement in Ellis Perks. He is, like Connor, a very hungry young racer who will give us all he has to offer”