The Mildenhall Fen Tigers proudly sponsored by Manchetts Rescue and Recovery made it a seven point maximum return from their two meetings with the Isle of Wight Warriors this week, but the result was at a high cost as number one and Captain Danny Ayres snapped his tibula when Danyon Hume fell in front of him in the opening heat of the meeting leaving Ayres nowhere to go.

With the Fen Tigers already operating rider replacement for Jason Edwards and Nathan Stoneman covering as a guest for Henry Atkins they looked up against it but Charlie Brooks and Matt Marson along with Stoneman and the returning Elliot Kelly at reserve pulled together to produce a miraculous ten point victory over the Warriors.

There was some fine racing to enjoy as first Brooks passed Scott Campos to join Marson for an important 5-1 in heat four, before a fine ride from Stoneman to hold off Ben Morley in heat seven lifted a very involved crowd. With the Warriors closing to within four points the Brooks and Marson pairing stretched the home lead with another 5-1 in heat ten. The following heat saw the visitors throw everything they had with Morley taking a TS ride alongside guest number on  Hume. Stoneman again produced a fine ride to separate the Warriors top pair and keep the lead to six. Another fine win from Brooks in heat twelve set up a bizarre heat thirteen. A sudden shower left the track very slippery and whilst the visitors struggled to negotiate the circuit Stoneman ploughed on regardless in front and when Hume fell Marson was left with nowhere to go and the subsequent awarded 5-1 saw the Fen Tigers home. Guest Nathan Stoneman was not finished and beat the Warriors top pair again in heat fifteen and with Brooks in third the Warriors left West Row with nothing for their efforts losing 50-40.

Speaking after the meeting co-owner Phil Kirk said “This was a real rollercoaster afternoon of emotions. It was wonderful to welcome back Sam Norris and his family to Mildenhall and to see Sam looking so well lifted everyone’s spirits. The build up to the meeting was one of total positivity especially with Sam in the pits with the team, but sadly we were bought down to earth very quickly with the awful news on Danny following his crash in heat one. It looks realistically that his season may be over now and we will have to regroup and go again without our Captain and talisman. We then, though saw the lads rise to the occasion and put in an incredible performance to secure victory by ten points.

Nathan Stoneman was an inspired guest and just the sort on rider you want with you when your backs are against the wall. Charlie and Matt supported him with memorable performances of their own and Elliot did everything we could have hoped for on his return. We now head to Plymouth on Friday with a spirit amongst the team that will surely be a major influence as we seek a place in the end of season play offs”

Mildenhall Fen Tigers 50
Charlie Brooks 15+2, Nathan Stoneman 15, Matt
Marson 11+3, Elliot Kelly 6+1, Danny Ayres 3, James Chattin 0, Jason Edwards
R/R.

Isle of Wight Warriors 40
Ben Morley 15, Connor King 11+1, Scott Campos 5+1, Danyon
Hume 5, , Chad Wirtzfield 2+1, Chris Widman 2+1, Danno Verge R/R