NEWS ARCHIVE

Stars dominant in defence of Trophy 20.03.08

Lambert: paid maximum

The Money Centre Stars overwhelmed an understrength Fen Tigers team last night (Wednesday) to begin their defence of the Premier Trophy. All seven home riders were in the points in the 66-24 win with reserve Simon Lambert weighing in with a paid maximum .

The home team consisently gated better than the Fen Tigers throughout the meeting, the vistors already being handicapped by having to use rider replacement for Robbie Kessler, absent due to suffering concussion after a spill in the challenge match at Peterborough. Mildenhall had acquitted themselves well in this fixture but found the Money Centre Stars in no mood for charity.

Things couldn't have started worse for the visitors. Shane Colvin touched the tapes and, instead of being substituted, went off 15 yards back. Laukannen split the home

riders for a Stars 4-2 with Colvin trailing at the rear. The reserves race saw Simon

Lambert and John Oliver outgate and outpace the visitors for a 5-1 before the Fen

Tigers suffered another, possibly decisive, blow in Heat 3 when Colvin fell heavily. The race would be awarded 4-2 to the Stars and, crucially, this would spell the end of Colvin's involvement for the night. Lambert secured his second win of the night in Heat 4, and the Tigers fared a little better in Heat 5, securing a 3-3 with Kevin Doolan taking the race win. The next four heats saw the Money Centre Stars effectively take control of the match by returning four successive 5-1 advantages. Mildenhall, now sharing the rides between five riders, were further not helped by Gravesen's exclusion in Heat 7 where a moment of exuberance saw him inadvertently take out the Stars' Rusty Harrison.

Kaj Laukannen picked up his first win of the evening in the shared Heat 10, but the Fen Tigers would not get another heat winner until the Finn picked up his second victory in Heat 15 which saw him spoil Tomas Topinka and Kevin Doolan's maximums.

Overall, an easier than expected victory. Track conditions were not ideal - heavy rain had fored a restructuring of the first bend which was more than a little soggy.

The Fen Tigers had a thankless task, especially when they went down to five riders, and caught the Money Centre Stars in good early season form.

Scorers:

King's Lynn Money Centre Stars:

Tomas Topinka 13+1

Shaun Tacey 8=2

Kevin Doolan 14

Kozza Smith 6+1

Rusty Harrrison 7+2

John Oliver 8+3

Simon Lambert 10+2 (paid max.)

Mildenhall Barmy Army Fen Tigers:

Kaj Laukkanen 12

Shane Colvin 0

Jan Graversen 4

Robbie Kessler R/R

Casper Wortman 4

Mark Baseby 2+1

James Cockle 2

Final Score:

King's Lynn Money Centre Stars 66

Mildenhall Barmy Army Fen Tigers 24

Ashley Jones: a Star in our hearts... forever!