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LATEST NEWS ~ JULY 2009
PRIEST, MASON IN TIGERS' SWAP
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Friday 31st July 2009
JOHN Adams has made a couple of changes to his flagging Mildenhall side ahead of a daunting trip to title-chasing Weymouth in their opening Trophy fixture tonight. And while the introduction of new faces was hinted at after the side's sixth consecutive defeat nearly two weeks ago, none of these have come to fruition, leaving the Fen Tigers team boss to make a few surface alterations in an attempt to stop the decline. Heat leaders Luke Priest and David Mason swap team positions, Barrie Evans takes over the captaincy for the remainder of the season and Nick Laurence has been handed a regular reserve spot.
"We've made these changes to try something different" said Adams. "Luke and David are both comfortable with their new No 3 and No 5 positions respectively. We are going to give Nick a chance to bed in, which he deserves, as we look with a view to next season. He rode well at Weymouth before and was brilliant against Scunthorpe. I have had enquiries from riders for that position, but have dismissed them to give Nick his opportunity."
With a mid-table league position the best the Suffolk side can obtain, the inception of the five-team National Trophy competition gives them fresh silverware at which to aim. "It's going to be tough at Weymouth," said Adams. "They are pretty invincible around there, but we go with the same mentality as we always do. Although we have had these run of defeats, no-one can knock us for our performances under the circumstances. We took Bournemouth to the wire in a cracking meeting and Scunthorpe had three Premier League riders in their team. We probably should have won the Buxton fixture, but our results are not as bad as is being made out. If we can just turn these close results around into our favour then we will be giving the fans the wins on top of the quality of racing that is being served up."
HERNE RUINS EVAN'S NIGHT
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Monday 27th July 2009
MILDENHALL ace Barrie Evans continued his impressive season by earning second place in Friday’s Bronze Helmet individual meeting at Weymouth. The 25-year-old was beaten only by Jay Herne in his programmed five rides and the two faced each other in the winner-take-all race-off. Evans made the gate and held the lead for the opening lap until the Aussie stormed around his opponent on the first two bends to steal victory.
The Fen Tigers’ Luke Priest was eighth with seven points. “It was a brilliant performance by Barrie,” said Tigers’ team boss John Adams. “He has been riding well all season and I’ve always said when he’s on form he’s among the best in this league. Luke is keeping up his consistency and having his engines back this week will help him greatly.”
NORTH RULED OUT FOR SEASON
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Saturday 25th July 2009
Mildenhall have been dealt a hammer blow after learning that star reserve Aussie teenager Dakota North has been ruled out for the rest of the season as is returning home. North was hurt after slamming in to the fence while riding for the Australasian team in an U21 match against Team GB. It was initially thought that he had only bruised the bottom of his back and kidneys but after having further tests he found out on Thursday night that he had sustained 3 broken bones in his back.
Team Boss John Adams said” Obviously this is a massive blow for us and the lad, we wish him all the best in his recovery, he has real talent and has been a pleasure to work with”. The Funky Catering Fen Tigers next meeting is a tough looking trip to Weymouth on Friday 31st July with the next home meeting on Sunday 2nd September versus Plymouth.
FEN TIGERS FIXTURE CHANGES
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Tuesday 21st July 2009
Mildenhall would like to inform supporters of the following fixture Changes; August 23rd Weymouth Home becomes a National League fixture with the Wildcats returning for the National Trophy encounter on Sunday September 20th. We are now at Plymouth for a National Trophy match on Friday September 4th, this has been bought forward from the 18th.
FEN TIGERS SEASON SLIPPING AWAY
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Monday 20th July 2009
Fen Tigers 43 – 49 Scunthorpe
The season is slipping alarmingly away for The Funky Catering Fen Tigers as they crashed to another home defeat with a poor display against Scunthorpe. In a rain affected meeting the Saints tracked three riders with Premier League experience including in form Simon Lambert who scorched to 14 points from his five rides.
Nick Laurence who made his home debut certainly lived up to his nickname as “Slick” won his first race in fine style blasting away from the tapes in heat two to lead the other three riders home. Laurence who came to the club for second halves earlier in the season and was encouraged to stay by Assistant Team Manager Blayne Scroggins who said ”I saw the potential in Nick straight away and recommended him for consideration for the main team when Darren Smith retired so it is pleasing for me to see him get the chance and impress Today”
The Fen Tigers next meeting is now not until July 31st at Weymouth with Plymouth visiting West Row on Sunday 2nd August.
Meanwhile Mildenhall Speedway have confirmed that Joe Evans has been appointed as Track Curator for the rest of the season. Joe who is the father of Fen Tigers No.1 Barrie will take charge of the circuit from the next home meeting against Plymouth on August 2nd. Evans Snr is looking forward to it and said he is please to be helping the club again and will be at the track from early in the Morning on race days.
Dick and Trevor Swales will continue to be on hand to help at each meeting as they have done all season. The club are looking for additional track rakers and anyone interested should email Club Chairman Ray Mascall at raymascall07@aol.com
Scorers
Mildenhall
Evans 11+1 (5 rides), Mason 10 (5), Priest 7+1 (4), Felton 4+1 (4), Jacobs 4+1 (4), Laurence 4 (5), Rayson 3+1 (4).
Scunthorpe
Lambert 14 (5 rides), Stoddart 9+1 (4), Bekker 9+1 (5), Richardson 7 (4), Wrathall 4+1 (5), Howarth 4 (4), Morris 2+1 (3).
TIGERS WOE CONTINUES
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Sunday 19th July 2009
Mildenhall 43 Scunthorpe 49
Another West Row defeat and a meagrely mustered five race victories compared to lowly Scunthorpe's 10 must surely be the catalyst for team changes to halt the ever-decreasing decline. Mildenhall have been starved of a home win for almost two months and clearly missed the scoring exploits of injured Dakota North.
Nick Laurence made a fine start to his Fen Tigers career with victory in his opening race before wins from Barrie Evans and Luke Priest kept the scores level at 18-18. But a 5-3 from their tactical ride in heat 12 and further wins for Dean Felton and Evans was all the hosts had to show from the rest of the night.
Mildenhall
Evans 11+1 (5 rides), Mason 10 (5), Priest 7+1 (4), Felton 4+1 (4), Jacobs 4+1 (4), Laurence 4 (5), Rayson 3+1 (4).
Scunthorpe
Lambert 14 (5 rides), Stoddart 9+1 (4), Bekker 9+1 (5), Richardson 7 (4), Wrathall 4+1 (5), Howarth 4 (4), Morris 2+1 (3).
I'M HAPPY TO STICK WITH TIGERS: NORTH
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Saturday 18th July 2009
Injured Australian ace Dakota North has given Mildenhall supporters a boost by declaring he intends to stick with the club for a few more weeks before heading home. The 17-year-old has already achieved his aim by bagging offers to ride in next season’s Premier League, but the much vaunted West Row team spirit has convinced the Milton Keynes-based teenager to turn out for the Funky Catering Fen Tigers a few more times.
“I've been looked after well at Mildenhall,” he said, “and the track is good to ride, if a bit inconsistent at times. My aim was to come over and make a name for myself to get a place in the PL next year, which I’ve done, and I have spoken to a lot of clubs and have a few choices. My dad wants me to go home soon, but I would like do a few more meetings for Mildenhall.”
North will be backing his team-mates from the sidelines tomorrow against Scunthorpe (4pm) having bruised his kidney and coccyx in a crash riding – and top scoring with 14 points – for Australasia under-21 against their Great Britain counterparts on the Isle of Wight. He also starred in the two other challenges with paid 13 and paid eight. “The crash was my fault,” he admitted. “The track was riding good, very deep, and I went into the corner and there was no room, so I went wide and had to bail off into the fence.”
Team manager John Adams said: “It is a massive blow to lose a rider of Dakota’s calibre. He is an outstanding talent but I’m pleased he will be there supporting the lads.” Without North, the Tigers’ task to overcome the Saints will be that much harder – only a three-point rider is eligible as replacement, giving No 8 Nick Lawrence his overdue opportunity. Adams described last week’s defeat by Buxton as “woeful” and while he did not name any riders, it is clear his “if they don't buck up their ideas they will be out” statement was directed at out-of-sorts duo David Mason and Dean Felton.
Mildenhall
1 Barrie Evans, 2 Oliver Rayson, 3 David Mason, 4 Dean Felton, 5 Luke Priest, 6 Nick Lawrence, 7 Joe Jacobs
Scunthorpe
1 Simon Lambert, 2 Kyle Howarth, 3 Sean Stoddart, 4 Byron Bekker, 5 Scott Richardson, 6 Adam Wrathall, 7 Ashley Morris.
FEN TIGERS SLIP UP AGAIN
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Tuesday 14th July 2009
Fen Tigers 44 – 46 Buxton
Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers slipped to another worrying defeat at home when they went down by two points on Sunday to Buxton. It was certainly a thrilling match on a track made grippy by heavy overnight rain, Barrie Evans was back to form and with Aussie reserve Dakota North again serving up plenty of excitement it was not all bleak for the Suffolk faithful but with David Mason and Dean Felton struggling it was certainly close al the way through the meeting.
The turning point however came in Heat 11 with the Fen Tigers on a 5 1 maximum heat advantage North spun on the fourth turn and race leader Luke Priest falling presented the Hitmen with a gift maximum race win of their own. Consecutive heat advantages bought the scores within two points going in to the last race but with the impressive Jade Mudgway who had earlier pipped Barrie Evans on the line in a previous race gating first the Fen Tigers pair of Evans and North had to settle for a shared heat meaning that Buxton went home with the away win.
All credit to Buxton and now the Fen Tigers will have to dust themselves down and come back looking for that seemingly elusive win this Sunday against the Scunthorpe Saints which starts at the usual time of 4.00pm. The Mildenhall team will remain the same but with Malcolm Vasey’s from Scunthorpe expected to include Simon Lambert and Byron Bekker it certainly looks like another nail biter for the West Row faithful.
MASCALL SET TO SHAKE UP POOR TIGERS
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Tuesday 14th July 2009
Mildenhall 44 Buxton 46 - National League Speedway
MILDENHALL chairman Ray Mascall says there will be changes after watching his side get beaten again at home in a last-heat decider to lowly Buxton. A fifth successive defeat, three of them at West Row, was nothing short of what the Funky Catering Fen Tigers deserved as the hungrier Hitmen held on to their early lead and sealed their first away league points with a fitting final win from scintillating New Zealander Jade Mudgway.
"We have three weaknesses in the team that have got to be addressed," said Mascall. "Buxton were trying much harder than us and I have learned from former team manager Graham Drury that you have to be mercenary at times when someone is not performing and replace them."
Track conditions caught riders out early on, but Barrie Evans was back on form and Aussie Dakota North carried on from where he left off last week as the pair opened with wins to put the hosts in front 7-5. The Hitmen snatched the lead with a 5-1 in heat three over under-pressure David Mason and Dean Felton, and impressive British under-16 champion Jason Garrity rode a superb line to steal second on the line from Joe Jacobs.
With Oliver Rayson struggling and North riding a bent frame from the night before, Buxton were back in front. Luke Priest grabbed his second win in heat seven from a superb tussle with Mudgway, who then produced a mesmerising pass from the back on Rayson. Mudgway marginally extended Buxton's lead to 32-28 with another spectacular move in heat 10. This time he hunted down the previously unbeaten Evans, racing the edge of the dirt line and just finding enough drive to squeeze past on the line.
The deciding moment came in a bizarre heat 11. A Priest and North one-two after the first lap was incredibly reversed as North struggled to turn his buckled bike into the corners and Priest fell unopposed out in front, handing the visitors an eight-point lead. Three 4-2s from Evans and North brought the margin down to just two points to set up a grandstand finish, but Mudgway got the drop out of the gate and completed a memorable paid 16-point haul.
Mildenhall
North 13+1 (7 rides), Evans 13 (5), Priest 7 (4), Mason 4+1 (4), Rayson 3 (4), Jacobs 2+1 (3), Felton 2 (3).
Buxton
Mudgway 15+1 (6 rides), Taylor 9+1 (5), Isherwood 8+1 (5), Garrity 7 (5), James 5 (4), Dallaway 2+2 (5).
DECISION TIME FOR DAKOTA
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Saturday 11th July 2009
Australian recruit Dakota North will decide on his future at Mildenhall within the next couple of weeks having made an instant impact at West Row. The 19 year old from Victoria, who is currently based in Essex, produced a starring debut display in last week’s battling effort against Bournemouth, but he has admitted he is becoming increasingly homesick after his father returned home last month.
Team manager John Adams said: “Ray (Mascall, chairman) and myself will talk with him after our home fixture against Scunthorpe on July 19 and see what he wants to do. It’s a big wrench for a young lad to be a long way from home and he is still undecided about what to do. Obviously we will do our best to keep him as he has really impressed me. He has settled into the team immediately and got on with the other lads. He had a very good debut in what was a difficult match which he was up for. His race with Jay Herne in heat seven was breathtaking, the best race of the season, and reminded me of one between Nicki Pedersen and Peter Karlsson at Monmore Green a few years ago.”
While captain David Mason has seen an upturn in his form in recent weeks, Barrie Evans and Joe Jacobs will be looking to put their blip against Bournemouth behind them in what Adams describes as a “must-win” home contest against Buxton tomorrow (6.00pm). Evans’ score was affected by his struggling engine and Jacobs fell in his final ride. The pair have been working closely on matters at Evans’ Norfolk home in an attempt to turn things around.
The Funky Catering Fen Tigers have slipped to seventh in the table, five points adrift of the play-off zone. The Hitmen have yet to secure an away league point. “This is a must-win if we have any hope of finishing in the top four,” said Adams. “We have enough firepower to beat them and will go into it with the same mentality and aggression as we did against Bournemouth and, hopefully, we will come out on top."
Mildenhall
1 Barrie Evans, 2 Oliver Rayson, 3 David Mason, 4 Dean Felton, 5 Luke Priest, 6 Dakota North, 7 Joe Jacobs.
Buxton
1 Scott James, 2 R/R, 3 Jade Mudgway, 4 Gareth Isherwood, 5 Ben Taylor, 6 Jason Garrity, 7 Lewis Dalloway.
WILDCATS RESTAGE DATE
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Thursday 9th July 2009
Mildenhall Speedway can now confirm that the restaging date for the Weymouth National League fixture that was rained off previously in June will now take place on Sunday 20th September with a 6.00pm start.
FEN TIGERS vs HITMEN
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Tuesday 7th July 2009
Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers face the Buxton Hitmen this Sunday 6.00pm start in a match they hope will get them back to winning ways after a recent run of defeats. Team Manager John Adams said” I expect us to get back to winning ways this week but we will not take anything for granted, I was encouraged by our performance against Bournemouth even though we lost the meeting I thought we went down fighting”
New signing Aussie whizz kid Dakota North will be hoping to continue his fine form after notching paid 12 points in his debut at the weekend and with Barrie Evans hoping to have his best engine back from the tuners the Fen Tigers will certainly be firing on all cylinders.
Buxton however come to West Row without the experienced Lee Smethills who they will operate the rider replacement facility for but have signed the talented one time Fen Tiger target Ben Taylor, they also have youngster Jason Garrity making his first ever National League appearance and will certainly be no push over for the home team.
The Fen Tigers will be looking for maximum points to get revenge for the 21 point defeat they suffered in Derbyshire last month. Supporters are reminded of 6.00pm start time for this fixture
Mildenhall
1. Barrie Evans
2. Oliver Rayson
3. David Mason ~ Captain
4. Dean Felton
5. Luke Priest
6. Dakota North
7. Joe Jacobs
Buxton
1. Scott James
2. Rider Replacement
3. Jade Mudgway
4. Gareth Isherwood ~ Captain
5. Ben Taylor
6. Jason Garrity
7. Lewis Dalloway
FEN TIGERS GO DOWN FIGHTING
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Monday 6th July 2009
Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers produced a much improved display on Sunday against highflying Bournemouth but slid to a 6 point reverse 42–48 at West Row. The Suffolk side introduced their new signing teenage Australian Dakota North who had impressed in the second half at West Row at their previous meeting and he certainly wowed the crowd with a big 10 + 2 score from 6 rides, North will certainly give the Fen Tigers some extra fire power looked stylish and fast in his opening meeting and was certainly the talk of the terraces during and after the meeting.
However the Australian was not the only rider to impress with Captain David Mason again notching double at home after a mistake in his first ride that let both Bournemouth riders through for a maximum heat advantage he said” I was annoyed with myself for that race but think I am finally getting the hang of the track and Today I was gating and holding my position which I have not been doing recently which I was pleased about, Bournemouth are a very good team and we pushed them hard which was encouraging.”
Another encouraging display by young Oliver Rayson in the difficult No.2 berth where he rode to two maximum heat wins shepherded home by Barrie Evans were other highlights of a very entertaining fixture in very muggy conditions at the Suffolk circuit.
Mildenhall Speedway would like to apologise for the confusion in the start time on Sunday with some fans arriving late believing in to be a 4.30 start Communications Manager Steve Dolby said” It is very frustrating and in no way did we publicise that start time it was always a 4pm start as all our home meetings have been this season, the only time it changes is when the stadium have stock cars on a Saturday then it reverts to a 6pm tapes up which is the case this Sunday(12th) when we race against Buxton”
NORTH STARS IN TIGERS LOSS
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Monday 6th July 2009
Mildenhall's play-off ambitions look dead and buried after they succumbed to their fourth successive defeat in a last-heat thriller against Bournemouth. Team manager John Adams, who praised his troops for a fighting performance against the title favourites, refused to accept that the Fen Tigers' aspirations for a top-four finish were over despite back-to-back West Row losses sending them closer to the bottom of the table than the top.
Mildenhall twice led their opponents and remained locked on 36-36 after heat 12, but the Buccaneers got the edge when it mattered and sealed the points in the final race. The home fans were buoyed by the marked improvement in skipper David Mason and Oliver Rayson, who was riding a new engine and clinched a fine pass on Kyle Newman in heat six. And new signing Dakota North had a hugely impressive debut with paid 12 points. The 17-year-old Australian stormed around Aaron Baseby to grab second in his opening ride and in heat seven he superbly tackled Jay Herne, hammering against the boards until his opponent just got the nod.
But his first win was not far away, superbly switching lines out of the opening turn to slice under Jerran Hart, who had reeled off four straight wins before that, for a 5-1 that put Mildenhall back into the match. A couple more seconds added to a memorable debut. The hosts missed the inspiration of Barrie Evans, who struggled with his gating, and Joe Jacobs continues to battle his confidence after a dip in form. A third of Bournemouth's haul came from Hart's seven-ride marathon, with five wins, and he was backed superbly by Jay Herne and returning favourite Mark Baseby.
Mildenhall
Mason 11 (5 rides), Dakota 10+2 (6). Rayson 7 (4), Evans 6+2 (4), Priest 6+1 (4), Jacobs 1+1 (3), Felton 1+1 (4).
Bournemouth
Hart 16 (7 rides), Herne 12 (5), M Baseby 8+2 (5), Warwick 4+2 (3), Aldridge 4+1 (4), Newman 2 (3), A Baseby 2 (3).
NEW SIGNING TO BE REVEALED
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Saturday 4th July 2009
The Funky Catering Fen Tigers have secured the signing of an exciting new young rider who will make his debut Tomorrow versus Bournemouth. Team Manager John Adams said, "we have been working very hard to improve the team where and when we can and I am very excited about this rider who I believe will be an instant hit with our supporters. We have worked hard to get him but we will not announce his name until the meeting Tomorrow so I urge all our supporters to turn out in force to see the Fen Tigers take on the might of Bournemouth complete with our new signing"
The match starts at 4pm
TEEN NICK IS SET TO MAKE THE STEP UP
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Saturday 4th July 2009
MILDENHALL teenager Nick Laurence will need to make the most of his opportunity when he lines up for his home debut against National League title favourites Bournemouth at West Row tomorrow (4pm). The 19 year old from Eastbourne has been impressing in second-half junior race and was deservedly handed his chance after Darren Smith, who notched just paid two points from three fixtures, quit earlier this week due to personal reasons.
But with team manager John Adams stressing that he needs to strengthen the reserve positions of the team to re-ignite the Fen Tigers’ play-off ambitions following the shock home defeat to Newport a fortnight ago, time may not be on Laurence’s side.
“We did not have much manoeuvrable time after Darren quit,” said Adams, “and it is a tough ask for Laurence coming against a side that I tipped at the start of the season would win the league, and I haven’t reneged on that. Nick has been on the pace and has good machinery as well as being very enthusiastic. Now he has got his chance, although I would have preferred not to have bled him in this early. We need to strengthen the bottom end as that defeat to Newport has put more pressure on us. We were complacent but I can guarantee that won’t happen again. We have got to be competitive and go in hard. Everyone has got to be firing and this will be a real test for the lads. Bournemouth are no doubt very tough opposition but no-one is unbeatable.”
Laurence, who started at the Arlington junior track when he was 13, said: “I feel quick enough that I can do well. I do like the big tracks but I have got the set up right and new engine that goes well at Mildenhall.”
The Fen Tigers, who were also due at leaders Weymouth last night, have slipped out of the play-off top four zone into seventh place, while Bournemouth are perched in second.
Mildenhall
1 Barrie Evans, 2 Oliver Rayson, 3 David Mason, 4 Dean Felton, 5 Luke Priest, 6 Nick Laurence, 7 Joe Jacobs.
Bournemouth
1 Danny Warwick, 2 Andrew Aldridge, 3 Jay Herne, 4 Mark Baseby, 5 Kyle Newman, 6 Aaron Baseby, 7 Jerran Hart.
TIGERS RESERVE CHANGE
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Wednesday 1st July 2009
Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers have replaced Darren Smith with 19 year old Nick Laurence for this weekend’s upcoming fixtures away at Weymouth on Friday and at home to Bournemouth on Sunday. Smith has decided to concentrate on his business concerns in the car industry, Team Manager John Adams said “We would like to thank Darren for his efforts with the Fen Tigers and wish him all the best for his future and we understand his work life must come first”
Laurence who has been riding regularly in the second halves at West Row and for the Academy team comes in to the team in the number 6 berth and Adams said his first two fixtures could not be harder” I feel a bit sorry for Nick really he comes in to the team for arguably our two toughest fixtures but he is dead keen and likes it at Mildenhall where we have tried to look after him and I know he is really looking forward to taking his chance with both hands”
Mildenhall Team for both fixtures
1. Barrie Evans
2. Oliver Rayson
3. David Mason
4. Dean Felton
5. Luke Priest
6. Nick Laurence
7. Joe Jacobs
Bournemouth
1. Danny Warwick
2. Andrew Aldridge
3. Jay Herne
4. Mark Baseby
5. Kyle Newman
6. Aaron Baseby
7. Jerran Hart
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