For once, it’s injury woes afflicting the opposition as Mildenhall - proudly sponsored by Manchetts Rescue and Recovery – prepare on Sunday (24/7) to take on Belle Vue Colts at West Row. in their most vital National Development League [NDL] of this 2022 season so far.

The side from Manchester had no fewer than six of their side in action on Thursday at Redcar Speedway in the GB Under 19 Championship – and perhaps the odds always suggested that might lead to problems. None for their young star, Jake Mulford who finished runner up but, though both reaching the run-off for third place Harry McGurk and former Fen Tiger, Nathan Ablitt came away from Teesside injured.

Ironically the mishaps came both in races involving the two Colts.  Harry McGurk (the elder of the two brothers in the Mancunians’ side) hurt his foot when it came into contact with his team mate Ablitt’s wheel when they met in heat 17.  Bravely he held onto win that race to qualify for a run off against Ablitt (and Nathan’s 2021 Fen Tigers’ team mate, Sam Hagon) and in that one, Ablitt fell and suffered a hand injury. Both riders have had to visit hospital subsequently with Harry McGurk out with ligament and tissue damage to his foot and Ablitt also signed as unfit to ride on Sunday.

Belle Vue boss Graham Goodwin has secured the services of Armadale’s Tom Woolley (back therefore a second week running) as ‘Guest’ for Harry McGurk and the Colts will use Rider Replacement for the missing Ablitt.

It's R/R too for the hosts of course, with Alex Spooner still not fit enough to return and his injury replacement Matt Marson out with a matching shoulder injury. Unfortunately Jacob Fellows is not able to come as no.8.  

It will be a busy day again for the two Mildenhall reserves Josh Warren and Luke Muff who both scored career best tallies in last Sunday’s win.

Muff commented,

“We are going into the match full of confidence and having lost recently up at Belle Vue we want to make sure they are going to get it at our place and it’ll taste sweet if we can achieve a revenge win.”

Talking of sweet, the popular Tyke’s score last week was 16 and he’s still on a high about that,

“It was nice to be out in seven rides, mixing it with riders throughout the opposition’s team. I feel it’s coming together for me now and to score 16 from reserve – well, you can’t ask much more than that! This Sunday is going to be a tougher meeting for sure but there is nothing we can’t handle around our home track”

Teams – with averages [in alphabetical order]:

Mildenhall Fen Tigers:

Sam Bebee 6.11; Lee Complin [Guest] 8.66; Jason Edwards (Captain) 9.20; Jack Kingston 7.16; Luke Muff 3.00; Josh Warren 3.00; R/R for Matt Marson 5.48

Belle Vue Colts:
Archie Freeman 4.44; Freddy Hodder 4.00; Sam McGurk 5.60; Jake Mulford 7.78; Jack Smith (Captain) 8.00; Tom Woolley [Guest] 7.48; R/R for Nathan Ablitt 7.56

Gates open at 1.30pm with tapes up on this massive fixture at Mildenhall Speedway Stadium at 3pm.