The ‘KJM/Manchetts’ Mildenhall Fen Tigers travel to Loomer Road on Saturday evening to take on the Stoke ‘AR Richards’ Potters in the 1st leg of their KO Cup quarter final tie.

The Fen Tigers travel in confident mood following a fine recent run of form and will be looking to repeat the defeats over Stoke in the 2011 KO Cup Final and 2012 semi-final where they won both legs on the way to winning the cup. They will, however, be without inform second string Luke Ruddick who is recovering from an arm injury sustained in the 50-40 defeat of Buxton last Sunday. Ruddick’s absence will be covered by rider replacement, and the Fen Tigers are pleased to be able to re-introduce Jordan Jenkins to the side following his exams.

Stoke will be without stalwart Tony Atkin and also operate rider replacement, whilst Alex Spooner steps into one of the reserve berths.

The following day the Fen Tigers welcome the Isle of Wight ‘Wightlink’ Warriors to West Row for another important National League fixture.

It has been a difficult start to the season for the Warriors who have the single victory to their name so far this season. In an effort to turn their fortunes around they have introduced ex-Fen Tigers favourite Connor Coles and Kelsey Dugard to their side and the ever busy Alex Spooner will feature at reserve. They will however be without their number one Ben Wilson and cover his absence with Lakeside’s Ben Morley who comes in as a guest.

Mildenhall promoter Kevin Jolly is confident this can be another successful weekend for his team, who won at Buxton last Sunday.

“We have to be confident wherever we ride just now, all the team are delivering what we expect from them and there is no reason for this not to continue this weekend,” he said.

“We will be looking for the win at Stoke where Jordan Jenkins comes back in, but even if we hold them to six points I will see this as a success and something we can turn round in the second leg.

“With Danno Verge now in fine form since dropping to reserve and Lewis Whitmore settling in well we are scoring points everywhere in the side, the Isle of Wight on Sunday should be a home win on paper but we have to show them respect as they have riders in their side that can do a job. We will be looking for another professional performance from the lads and three more league points.”

Line-ups

Mildenhall Fen Tigers (Saturday & Sunday): Connor Mountain, (R/R), Jon Armstrong, Jordan Jenkins, Daniel Halsey, Lewis Whitmore, Danno Verge

Stoke: Mitchell Davey, (R/R), Ryan Terry-Daley, David Wallinger, Luke Priest, Alex Spooner, Shaun Tedham

Isle of Wight Warriors - Ben Morley (G), Kelsey Dugard, James Cockle, Chris Widman, Connor Coles, Jamie Sealey, Alex Spooner