The Mildenhall Fen Tigers, proudly sponsored by Manchetts Rescue and Recovery have one hand firmly on the National Development League title after a nail biting victory at Central Park. A 45-44 victory leaves the Fen Tigers needing to score 24 points or more at Armadale on Saturday to claim their first league title since 2012.

In a meeting that never saw more than three points between the two evenly matched teams, it was the Fen Tigers strength in depth and a powerhouse performance from reserve Sam Bebee that made the difference. Bebee raced to paid thirteen and featured in the two telling 5-1 heats in 8 and 14 with Jason Edwards and Nathan Ablitt respectively. The Fen Tigers only had six race winners but filled in the important minor places to prevent the Royals from gaining any significant advantage even though heat leaders Dan Gilkes and Ryan Kinsley won eight races between them.

In the end it all came down to the final race of the night. The Fen Tigers three points ahead going into heat fifteen, when a heavy crash involving Edwards and Kent pairing Gilkes and Kinsley somehow saw Edwards excluded from the rerun! After a considerable delay it was down to Captain Jordan Jenkins to score the second place needed for the win. Although Gilkes gated Jenkins held off the early attentions of Kinsley to secure the victory to the cheers of the considerable number of visiting fans.

After the meeting Fen tigers Promoter Greg Palmer said “We are so proud of this team, they battled so hard and were supporting each other all evening. We are so close to the title now, just one more push on Saturday and we will hopefully get what we deserve for all the hard work that has gone into the season.

The four of us have given so much to make a success of Mildenhall this year after the pandemic took out 2020 and these seven lads have all given the same amount of effort, they have a real will to win and in difficult circumstances tonight came up with this massive result. A big thank you too to our traveling support tonight who cheered the team to victory, we could hear you all evening it was brilliant”

Scores –

Mildenhall Fen Tigers 45
Jordan Jenkins 12 (5 rides), Sam Bebee 11+2 (6), Jason Edwards 9+3 (6), Nathan Ablitt 8 (5), Sam Hagon 5+2 (7), Elliot Kelly 0 (3), Luke Ruddick R/R

Kent Royals 44
Dan Gilkes 15 (5 rides), Ryan Kinsley 12 (5), Jake Mulford 7 (4) Alex Spooner 4+2 (4), Jacob Clouting 3+1 (6), Josh Warren 3 (5), Vinnie Foord 0 (1 WD)