The Mildenhall Fen Tigers proudly sponsored by Manchetts Rescue and Recovery were left licking their wounds following a chastening defeat against the Leicester Lion Cubs this afternoon.

There was anearly injury to David Wallinger who managed to get no further than the first bend in his opening ride before he locked up and left the following Jamie Halderwith nowhere left to go. Both riders were treated for some time on the track before, thankfully, both walked from the crash with the help of the paramedics. Wallinger suffered damage to his wrist and the Fen Tigers management await news of his injury following a visit to hospital this evening.

This added to both Fen Tigers reserves experiencing difficult afternoons left the remaining team members fighting to keep the score close. They battled hard, led by Danny Ayres and with excellent backing from the improving Charlie Brooks, but could not contain a powerful top   three that included ex Fen Tiger Luke Ruddick who scored a highly impressive eleven points. Only Ayres and Brooks were race winners for the Fen Tigers and the lack of race wins contributed to a final score in favour of the home side 55-34.

A disappointed Malcolm Vasey said “Following an excellent effort at Cradley on Monday this was not what I was expecting today. Losing David was of course a factor in our defeat and hopefully the news following his hospital visit will be positive, but we fell short especially at reserve and couldn’t hold onto the tails of a decent opponent. We send our best wishes to Jamie Halder and hope he will soon be back racing.

Danny led from the front as always and I was particularly impressed by  harlie who fully earned his ride in heat fifteen. We are not out of this tie, but it will require a big performance now in the second leg and a twenty one point defeat will take some pulling back. We now need to regroup and move on as we face two important National Trophy ties next week, we will be without Danny on Friday and also Jason who has exams, but we have booked Max Clegg and will head west looking for the win!” 

Leicester Cubs 55
Ellie Perks 15 (5 rides), Joe Thompson 11+2 (6), Luke Ruddick 11 (4), Danyon Hume 10 (5), Dan Thompson 7+2 (5), Ryan MacDonald 1 (5), Jamie Halder 0 (WD)

Mildenhall Fen Tigers 34
Danny Ayres 12 (5 rides), Charlie Brooks 10 (6), Jason Edwards 6 (4), Matt Marson 5+2 (5), Macauley Leek 1+1 (6), Elliot Kelly 0 (5), David Wallinger 0 (WD)