Buxton were without Lee Smethills for the trip to Mildenhall to face the Rye House Rockets. The match produced a fascinating struggle between two teams showing great determination.
James Mann retired while leading Heat 2, allowing David Osborn to take the win for the Hitmen, but there was little between the teams as the first three heats were shared.
Enter David Mason, to produce the first of two 4-2's, the second occurring when Jamie Young fell in Heat 5. Simon Moon was excluded in Heat 7 producing protests from the Rockets camp and with Mann and Young taking a 5-1 in Heat 8, the teams were level again.
Chapman was excluded under two minutes from Heat 12, then Osborn broke the tapes, providing an opportunity for the excellent Mann. The youngster ensured Aidan Collins' victory was not wasted by finishing third to break the deadlock and put Buxton ahead for the first time.
The big guns lined up in Heat 13 and Mason and Wolstenholme powered to a 5-1 to reverse the narrow lead. Burnett fell trying desperately to secure points in Heat 14, leaving Rye House's top men the task of sharing Heat 15 for victory. They did more than that with a maximum heat win.
The drama extended to the Bronze Helmet match race, holder Adam Allott was beaten from the gate by Mason who led until the final home straight. Allott caught him over the final few yards, the referee's decision brought howls of protest from the home camp who clearly felt Mason had just held on. Video evidence apparently later proved referee Dave Dowling correct with his call.