The Mildenhall Fen Tigers proudly sponsored by Manchetts Rescue and Recovery just failed to gain a deserved victory at the home of arch rivals Cradley in a tight meeting where there was never more than four points between the sides.

Led by Danny Ayres in imperious form the visitors were never behind but couldn’t stretch their advantage enough to see off a Cradley side that hung onto the Fen Tigers tail. Ayres received strong support from Jason Edwards and improving reserve Macauley Leek but all seven Fen Tigers contributed important points. A 5-1 from Matt Marson and Leek in heat eight gave the Fen Tigers the largest lead of the evening but that couldn’t be maintained in heat nine when David Wallinger fell after clipping the fence on the back straight. Heat fourteen turned out to be pivotal as Edwards and Leek were on a match winning 5-1 when Luke Harris squeezed through on the inside of Leek, the Mildenhall reserve falling as he bravely tried to force his way back past Harris. The ensuing 5-1 to the home side in heat fifteen saw them squeeze home by the smallest of margins 46-44.

Mildenhall General Manager Phil Kirk said “We really deserved the three points this evening I feel, the lads should be proud of their efforts, especially with some of them racing at Monmore for the first time. Every member of the side gave their all and each contributed important points to the cause.

There is already an excellent team spirit growing amongst the boys and we can take a lot of positives from tonight into Sundays KO Cup tie at Leicester. This is a team that is showing improvement with each meeting and will only continue to get better as the season progresses”

Cradley Heathens 46
Max Clegg 13 (5 rides), Lewis Whitmore 1 (4), Danny Halsey 11 (4), Luke Harris 6+2 (4), Tom Brennan 11+2 (5), Tom Spencer 2+2 (4), Harry McGurk 2 (4)

Mildenhall Fen Tigers 44
Danny Ayres 13 (5 rides), Matt Marson 5 (4), Charlie Brooks 4+2 (4), Jason Edwards 9 (5), David Wallinger 4 (4), Elliot Kelly 2+1 (3), Macauley Leek 7+3 (5)