The first of three remaining away matches against direct opponents for the top four in Speedway’s National League [NL] is next up for the Kent TouchTec Kings with a visit to Suffolk on Sunday (18/8) to take on the Mildenhall Fen Tigers.
The task against the side who currently lie in 4th. place (five points behind second placed Kent – but with two matches ‘in hand’) is made all the more difficult by the absence of the in-form Drew Kemp – who of course rode last season in Mildenhall’s NL-topping side. Drew is on SGB Championship [SGBC] duties with Sheffield. Coming in as ‘Guest’ replacement for the European Under 19 championship semi-final winner will be Stoke’s Joe Lawlor – one of the Potters’ heroes of the NL Fours winning side.
Of course stand-in skipper Jordan Jenkins is another former Mildenhall rider and his experience of the West Row circuit was evident in his top scoring paid 14 score when the TouchTec Kings had an impressive 43-41 win there earlier this season in the National Trophy. There’s actually though only one other member of that triumphant side who’ll be in action on Sunday – with the match coming just too early for club captain Rob Ledwith’s return from injury. Also still out is Alex Spooner with Jacob Clouting now in as an injury replacement into the declared one to seven. The match marks Dan Gilkes’ first as an NL heat leader – with his new average more than trebling the 2.00 points starting figures at 7.71.
Coming in at reserve is East Anglian-based Luke Barnes – for a second appearance in the Invicta race jacket having ridden in the side which won at Belle Vue earlier this month.
The homesters suffered a big blow last week losing skipper Danny Ayres to a season-ending broken leg – the former Kent King again suffering the heartache of missing the business end of a NL season with gongs team wise and individually up for grabs. The Fen Tigers’ management have moved quickly bringing back as a replacement number one, another hero of their 2018 side, Ryan Kinsley. They’ll also be missing their own European U-19 finalist Jason Edwards who is away on SGBC duties too riding for his club in that division. Mildenhall’s choice of ‘Guest’ cover could well be crucial.
A win for the Kings would be a major boost to Chris Hunt’s side’s hopes of making the all-important play offs – but with the Fen Tigers breathing down their necks on a late run towards the top four and with the two teams also meeting on Bank Holiday Monday at Central Park there are huge stakes resting on this match.
The action gets underway at 3pm on Sunday 18th. August at Mildenhall Speedway, Hayland Drove, West Row, near Mildenhall IP28 8QU