DUDLEY Heathens launched their new season in style with a shock 45-41 win at bitter rivals Mildenhall in the National Shield first leg.

The revamped Heathens side provided six race winners at West Row against the team which beat them in controversial circumstances for the league title last October.

And whilst revenge was sweet, boss Will Pottinger was quick to guard against complacency.

He said: "This was obviously a very sweet victory for us, but we still have the second leg to come at Wolverhampton on April 30 and it will mean nothing if we don't finish the job then.

"But for us to have six race winners when we had five riders on debut at one of the toughest places to visit was brilliant, full credit to the boys.

"It's a sweet win for Lewis Blackbird at his former club and we could have won by more but for his two exclusions and retirements for some of the younger lads."

Now the former Cradley club are expecting a bumper crowd for their opening home meeting against Coventry at Monmore this Tuesday in the first leg of the Travel Plus Trophy.

MILDENHALL: Stefan Nielsen 13, Jon Armstrong 9+1, Josh Bates 6+1, Daniel Halsey 6, Aaron Baseby 4, Liam Rumsey 2+1, Nathan Stoneman 1+1.

DUDLEY: Ashley Morris 12+1, Lewis Blackbird 7+1, Paul Starke 7, Dan Greenwood 6, Gareth Isherwood 5+1, Max Clegg 5, Nathan Greaves 3+1.