Mildenhall Fen Tigers get first win of season with 48-41 victory over Kent Kings
Jack Kingston (red) was in fine form for the Fen Tigers - Credit: Archant
National League Mildenhall Fen Tigers 48 Kent Kings 41 After three defeats the Fen Tigers kick-started their season with a 48-41 victory to claim all three points in their opening National League fixture on Sunday.
With returning Jack Kingston in scintillating form with three heat wins and fine support from his team mates the victory although not clear cut always looked the only likely outcome.
After two exclusions for both teams No 1’s in Heat 1 Kingston beat Danno Verge to give the Fen Tigers a 3-2 lead, which had extended to three points when an unfortunate crash left Mildenhall guest Nick Laurence out of the meeting with a suspected broken collarbone in Heat 5.
Laurence, who is just returning to the sport after some time out, had looked on the pace in his fsecond ride until he lost conntrol on the back straight and was catapulted from his bike.
Although a rider down the Fen Tigers continued to slowly increase their lead, both reserves Tom Bacon and Luke Ruddick covering well for Laurence.
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A 5-1 for Kingston and Ruddick in Heat 8 saw the Fen Tigers move five points ahead and a further 5-1 in Heat 10 from captain Dan Halsey and Kingston again saw the Fen Tigers comfortably in the lead for the first time during the afternoon.
Victory was confirmed with another 5-1 in Heat 14, this time the ever improving Bacon and Ruddick combined to ensure the points were Mildenhall’s.
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After the meeting promoter Kevin Jolly was in a positive mood.
He said: “Even when we were losing meetings I never for one moment doubted the ability of this side or felt the need to panic. With Jack (Kingston) looking smooth from the off the team had a real balance to it today.
“It was a shame to lose Nick (Laurence) and we hope he is soon back on a bike, but it means I am again looking for a rider and will make some enquiries over the next couple of days.
“Everyone contributed today and Connor (Coles) looked much more on the pace, now he has an engine supplied by Chris Louis, Chris was there in the pits with him too which was a great help.
“The crowd was down a bit today, which was understandable, but hopefully todays win will bring the crowds back, because I feel this is a side worth watching.”
Mildenhall 48 - Halsey 9+1 (5 rides), Kingston 10 (5), Mountain 8 (4), Laurence 1+1 (2), Coles 5+1 (4), Bacon 6+2 (5) and Ruddick 9+2 (5)
Kent 41 - Morley 12 (5 rides), Verge 4 (5), Baseby 8 (4), R/R (Ayres), Shanes 13 (6), Couzins 4 (7) and Shepherd 0 (4)
