Mildenhall Fen Tigers face their toughest challenge yet this Sunday (3pm) without Sam Bebee and Jordan Jenkins, but with Danny Ayres back in the fold following his absence last week.

Eastbourne Eagles are the visitors to West Row for a National trophy fixture and will be led by a powerful top three of Mark Baseby, Tom Brennan and Georgie Wood.

The Fen Tigers have however had to put on hold the signing of Danny Halsey as the popular ex-Fen Tiger is not quite ready to return to the sport just yet with Mildenhall now looking to bring him into the side for the Plymouth home fixture on May 27.

With this in mind club promoter Kevin Jolly has moved quickly to secure the services of Kent’s Nathan Stoneman as cover for Jenkins and will operate Rider Replacement for Bebee.

Stoneman is well known to Mildenhall fans as he started his career with the Fen Tigers in their all-conquering 2012 Grand Slam and impressed everyone before suffering a season ending injury at Scunthorpe.

“This will be our hardest fixture to date I am sure, meetings with Eastbourne are always exciting with no quarter given,” Jolly said.

“We are well placed in our National Trophy group but must not take our foot off the pedal and Sunday’s meeting and Mondays at Kent are important if we are to continue our defence of the National Trophy.”

“With Danny’s (Halsey) return on hold for now, I am pleased that Nathan (Stoneman) has accepted the booking, he is a 100% trier who gives everything and is just the type of rider we need for Sunday. We performed well last Sunday in difficult circumstances.”

Teams

Fen Tigers: 1. Josh Bailey 8.87, 2. Sam Bebee R/R 3.00, 3. Nathan Stoneman (G) 7.19, 4. Ryan Kinsley 4.53, 5. Danny Ayres 8.38, 6. Drew Kemp 3.00, 7. Matt Marson 3.00 TM - Phil Kirk

Eastbourne: 1. Mark Baseby (C) 8.65, 2. Kelsey Dugard R/R 3.50, 3. Tom Brennan 7.21, 4. Charley Powell 5.62, 5. Georgie Wood 7.61, 6. Jason Edwards 3.00, 7. Charlie Brooks 3.00 TM Connor Dugard