FEN TIGERS ON TOP

MILDENHALL have taken over at the top of the National Development League after a 47-43 win over Belle Vue at West Row.

The Fen Tigers made it four points out of five over the weekend thanks to their victory at Workington the day before, although they were denied the aggregate point against the Colts, who put in a resolute effort.

The visitors clawed back from 12 points down to force a last heat decider, where skipper Jack Smith (12) took his fourth win of the meeting, but the home pair of Alfie Bowtell (10) and Lee Complin packed in for a 3-3.

Mildenhall boss Jason Gardner said: “I must praise the whole team over what has been in a gruelling but ultimately very successful weekend’s work. Winning at Workington was exceptional. 

“Today was tough going but we won as a team, and it was heartening to see everyone helping each other with the bike problems being suffered.

“Now we are top of the table we want to make sure we stay there, and the next three matches are very important.”

Colts co-manager Graham Goodwin said: “We couldn’t be prouder of how the boys fought back in the second half of the afternoon.

“All the boys were giving everything and come Heat 14, we genuinely felt we had a shot at the full three points because, had we got a 5-1, we’d have forced a Super Heat.

“Full credit to the guys, they made the gate but a bit of hard riding from the Fen Tigers put a stop to those plans, but we managed to secure the aggregate point which is what we were after.”

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Photo credit: DEREK LEADER