Home action in the sunshine on Sunday (17/7) when Armadale Devils are the visitors in National Development League [NDL] action at Mildenhall Speedway – proudly sponsored by Manchetts Rescue and Recovery.
With two away wins under their belt (including up in West Lothian in the matching fixture against the side from north of the border last month), it’s vital now for the Fen Tigers to get their home form into gear and this, the first of three successive Sundays at West Row, is that opportunity to get points on the board in their own backyard.
With Aussie Matt Marson returning to the Mildenhall line up after a couple of pandemic-enforced years absence from the ranks of the Fen Tigers (hopefully Sunday will see the Perth-sider go past the 400 points mark in what will be his 65th. appearance overall in Mildenhall colours) and both James Shanes and skipper, Jason Edwards available to ride after missing out on Friday’s trip to Belle Vue, the hosts will be at a welcome full strength.
The Scots are currently the NDL’s basement side but have recently strengthened, bringing in the vastly experienced Lee Complin at number one and have another returning ex-Mildenhall man in their ranks. That’s Elliot Kelly who was in the Fen Tigers’ side last term which took the NDL title. Kelly announced he was taking a break from the sport on the eve of this season but he has been tempted back by the Edinburgh Speedway-based side. Fellow Yorkshireman Complin is one of the division’s senior statesmen now – the former Premier League title-winner with Sheffield back after a decade away. The 37-year-old was always a threat around the West Row circuit and so is certainly a man to watch on Sunday.
Combining with Complin as the visitors other two heat leaders both have considerable experience in the NDL. Danny Phillips was a member of the all-conquering Cradley Heathens side of 2014; while skipper Tom Woolley is best known for riding for his home county club Buxton, as well as a career in Flattrack (one of Speedway’s sister sports) which saw him reach the rostrum in the FIM Gold Cup – that discipline’s de facto world championship.
The Devil is in the detail of course with a Speedway septet and completing the Scots’ line up are home-grown siblings from Falkirk, Lewis & Gregor Millar and a rider who scored 11 points from reserve in the reverse fixture up at Armadale in June, Josh Emberton.
Teams [in alphabetical order]:
Mildenhall Fen Tigers
Sam Bebee 6.11; Jason Edwards (Captain) 9.20; Jack Kingston 7.16; Matt Marson 5.48; 7 Luke Muff 3.00; James Shanes 8.66; Josh Warren 3.00
Armadale Devils
Lee Complin 6.94; Josh Embleton 4.33; Elliot Kelly 4.19; Gregor Millar 3.00; Lewis Millar 3.00; Danny Phillips 6.50; Tom Woolley (Captain) 6.77
Gates open at 1.30pm with bars and refreshment stalls selling cold drinks and tapes are up after the parade at 3pm at Mildenhall Speedway this Sunday, July 17th. – it’s going to be a sizzler!