CRADLEY are ready to renew their rivalry with Mildenhall in the toughest of Knockout Cup ties at Wolverhampton next Tuesday.

The Heathens launch the defence of their silverware after comfortably lifting the cup last season.

And fans favourite Tom Perry is backing his side to make a winning start with the return at West Row on Sunday week.

He said: "It was a good night for us all against Buxton last week - we all enjoyed it and got a massive win.

"We know next week is going to be much harder because Mildenhall are a tough side with a lot of good riders.

"We'll have to be on top of our game but I'm sure we can show what we can do and get a good result.

"The meeting means a lot to the fans with the rivalry that we had in 2012. We had some great battles with them that season but didn't quite come out on top.

"Hopefully things can be different this year starting with a win against them in the cup next week.

"We've started the season well and if we carry on our form I can't see a lot of people stopping us.

"Obviously there is a long way to go yet and a lot of things can happen, but we are all feeling confident so hopefully we can go on to have a good season."

Heathens boss Will Pottinger added: "This is going to be a real test for our riders, we will be looking for a good result in the home leg to build up an advantage.

"Everyone knows there is history between Cradley and Mildenhall and I can't think of a better way to launch the defence of the cup than by putting our rivals out."