Report: Oxford v Mildenhall

A difficult evening on Tuesday (6/6) ended in disappointment for Mildenhall DJS Fen Tigers – proudly sponsored by Manchetts Rescue and Recovery – going down to defeat on the day and to a hefty aggregate reverse to surrender top spot in the National Development League [NDL] to rivals Oxford Chargers.

A second half of the meeting where the visitors were bedevilled by mechanical woes did the damage leaving all in the Mildenhall camp frustrated.

It had started oh so much better for the visitors looking to repeat their heroic win in Cowley of last year - taking an early four point lead courtesy of 4-2s in both the opening heats, Alfie Bowtell and the resurgent Josh Warren taking the chequered flag respectively. And indeed from that point the Fen men were never behind at any point in the first half of the match and completed the first stanza level pegging. 24-24 (so two ahead on aggregate) after heat eight meant that there was considerable optimism regarding a win on the night and the precious aggregate bonus point also going into the second half of proceedings.

It could’ve been more too, save for some misfortune and puzzling refereeing decisions. 

After the DJS Fen Tigers’ ‘Guest’, the very quick Ashton Boughen had made it three heat winners from three races, next it was skipper Lee Complin’s turn; and the terrific Tyke was involved in a very close battle for supremacy with Oxford’s Ryan Kinsley when the Chasers’’ hapless reserve Kai Ward fell when unchallenged right at the rear. The race was on the penultimate lap so the referee could award the result and indeed he did, but normally in such circumstances - a back marker faller from the team of the rider being firmly challenged at the front with all to play for in the remaining one and a half laps – the decision would be to rerun.

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Fixture List Update...

Mildenhall DJS Fen Tigers – proudly sponsored by Manchetts Rescue and Recovery – await a new date for the vital NDL fixture away to reigning champions Leicester Lion Cubs following the announcement by the East Midlands club of a fixture change. 

With a number of other meetings encroaching into the late June/early July period at their Beaumont Park home, the Lion Cubs have had to call off the scheduled visit of the Fen Tigers which was due to take place on Saturday 1st. July.

A new date will be announced as soon as possible.