Stoke Potters 44, Mildenhall Fen Tigers 50 (Fen Tigers win 105-83 on agg)

MILDENHALL Fen Tigers cruised through to the National KO Cup Final where’ll they’ll defend the trophy against Dudley, after a comfortable 50-44 win at Stoke on Saturday night completed a 105-83 semi final rout of the Potters.

The writing was on the wall for the home side as early as Heat 1 as Mildenhall’s in form skipper Lewis Blackbird claimed the scalp of Ashley Birks. With Joe Jacobs in third the 4-2 heat win set down the marker for the night.

From that point onwards the result was never in doubt. New British Under 19 champion Stefan Nielsen was in superb form again, his only defeat of the night coming in his final outing as he rattled up 17 points. Debut-making reserve Gareth Isherwood looked hugely impressive with paid 11 as he returned to his old Loomer Road stamping ground.

With Blackbird back to his best and Jacobs getting going after a sluggish start, there was even room for Stoke specialist Danny Halsey to have an off night that wasn’t helped by mechanical gremlins.

The Potters finally added some respectability to the score when Birks and James Cockle got their only maximum of the night in Heat 13, as Blackbird suffered engine problems and Jacobs spun and fell before remounting.

Afterwards, team manager Rob Henry was delighted: “We said the boys mustn’t be complacent and right from the off they were fully focused on finishing the job. Lewis beating Ashley Birks in Heat 1 showed we meant business and from then on we were superb and got the result we deserved. We had fantastic backing on the night, as well, from our supporters, who made the trip from Suffolk which, as always, spurred the team on.”

Stoke Potters = 44 (83)

1. Ashley Birks 2, 3, 4!, 3, 3 = 12

2. Richard Andrews 0, R, 0 = 0

3. Tony Atkin 1’, 1’, F, 2 = 4+2

4. Ben Reade 2, 2, 2, 3, 1 = 10

5. James Cockle 1, 2, 4!, 2’ = 9+1

6. Liam Rumsey 1’, 0, 1’, F = 2+2

7. Liam Carr 2, 0, 1, 0, 1’ = 4+1

Mildenhall Fen Tigers = 50 (105)

1.R/R

2. Joe Jacobs 1, 0, 3, 3, 0 = 7

3. Stefan Nielsen 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 2 = 17

4. Daniel Halsey 0, 1, 1, R, 2 = 4

5. Lewis Blackbird 3, 3, 2, 3, 1 = 12

6. Ryan Terry-Daley 0, 1’, 1, 0 = 2+1

7. Gareth Isherwood 3, 2’, 2’, 1’, 0 = 8+3