The action comes thick and fast now for the Mildenhall Fen Tigers – proudly sponsored by Manchetts Rescue and Recovery – with three vital National Development League [NDL] matches in the final eight days of the month. An away trip to league new boys Oxford Chargers next Wednesday (24th.) is quickly followed by the Cowley-based team visiting West Row on the Sunday of the forthcoming Summer Bank Holiday Weekend.
But this run of absolutely vital matches starts this Sunday (21st. August) with a second visit of the season to Iwade in the Swale area of Kent to take on another of the 2022 newcomers, the Kent Royals.
Malcolm Vasey and Jason Gardner’s charges have already taken on the Old Gun Site-based team three times this term: disposing of them in a closely-fought two legged Knock Out Cup semi final back in April/May; and at the end of July scored a convincing 57-32 home win over the Royals (who have adopted the nickname of the now defunct club previously based at Sittingbourne’s impressive Central Park Stadium, basing themselves in the more modest surroundings of the long-established training circuit in nearby Iwade).
There’s little in the way of respite for the Fen Tigers’ beleaguered management team going into this match against the side currently lying one place below them in the NDL table (Mildenhall are fifth, just below the all-important Play-Off places with 15 points; Kent are sixth on 13 points) – with the need to draft in two ‘Guests’ and also utilise Rider Replacement.
With club captain Ryan Kinsley still not able to be declared fit after his broken collarbone injury, the Fen Tigers are forced to cover for Kinsley’s also stricken replacement in the line-up, James Shanes by a ‘Guest’ – with former Fen Tiger Adam Roynon (who filled in this role in the matching fixture at West Row back on 31st. July) getting the pick again.
More calamitous, a late fixture change involving the Redcar Bears means that Mildenhall’s number one (fresh from his exploits riding at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in the World Under 21s last weekend) Jason Edwards is now unavailable for his NDL side on Sunday. Coming in as ‘Guest’ for Jason is a rider who has made himself very popular with Fen Tigers’ fans and management alike after a couple of recent barnstorming showings at West Row, Lee Complin. There’s no doubting the experience of those drafted in as ‘Guests’ – some 30 plus years’ experience of league Speedway racing between them.
At the other end of that extreme is rookie teenager Jacob Fellows, who comes in for another appearance at Reserve for the Fen Tigers (the Leicester-based youngster having made his Fen Tigers’ home debut against the same opponents in the last match) - this is because another injury victim, Luke Muff is still struggling with the troublesome knee strain suffered in a crash last month and sits this one out. Ditto for the other rider injured in that match against Belle Vue four weeks ago, Sam Bebee and the Rider Replacement facility is used for concussion victim Sam.
There’s better news (at last!) on the injury front with the return to the Mildenhall side after a spell out following a dislocated shoulder for Alex Spooner. Alex joins fellow Essex-based racer Jack Kingston in the Fen Tigers team on Sunday, with the in-form Josh Warren (fresh from scoring a brilliant paid 13 in the 57-32 win over the Royals in the clubs’ last meeting three weeks ago) raring to go again.
For the hosts, their experienced team boss John Sampford has been busy making changes with the surprise development this week of former GB Under 19 champion Max Clegg returning to the NDL ranks (and raising eyebrows all round when allocated an average under 8.50 points) and popping into a redeclared Royals’ line up replacing their own long-term injury victim, Alfie Bowtell. Clegg now forms an impressive top two with fellow former divisional Riders’ Champion, Ben Morley.
It’s understood that the Royals are likely to use R/R themselves – in their case for the injured Jamie Halder; but they do have another injury victim, Sam Woolley back after a period of absence with a broken ankle and fit to resume in their side. Former Fen Tiger Danno Verge captains the Royals with their sextet (in this case) completed by their locally-based reserve Chris Watts.
With both teams sitting just outside the all-important top four but with crucial matches in hand over those currently above them, this is an absolutely vital encounter for both clubs. The address of the staging track is Sittingbourne Speedway Club, The Old Gun Site, Raspberry Hill Lane (just off Old Ferry Road), Iwade, Kent ME9 8SN
The start time on Sunday 21st. August is mid-day (12.00pm).
Teams [in alphabetical order with averages]
Kent Royals
Max Clegg [8.46]; Connor King [3.31]; Ben Morley [9.33]; Danno Verge [5.40]; Chris Watts [3.00]; Sam Woolley [3.56]; Rider Replacement for Jamie Halder [3.53]
Mildenhall Fen Tigers
Lee Complin {Guest} [9.42]; Jacob Fellows [3.00]; Jack Kingston [7.00]; Adam Roynon {Guest} [8.66]; Alex Spooner [6.40]; Josh Warren [4.75]; Rider Replacement for Sam Bebee [5.73]
