Following the completion of the two outstanding matches to determine the composition and finishing positions of Speedway’s National Development League [NDL] top four, Mildenhall Fen Tigers – proudly sponsored by Manchetts Rescue and Recovery- now know who’ll they be facing in the Play Offs this month, which will decide if the team from West Row can make history by retaining their NDL title.

The matches concerned (neither actually involving Mildenhall) saw Belle Vue Colts unexpectedly fail to make the top four when they lost at basement side Armadale on Friday. The club from Manchester travelled to the Scottish capital knowing that just a single point would suffice to propel them into the Play Offs by stealing fourth place in the table away from Oxford, but a very disappointing performance in rainy conditions in Edinburgh saw them gone down to a 51-36 defeat and with it their hopes of a league title they last won in 2018.

The 2019 champions Leicester Lion Cubs meanwhile were taking on Berwick Bullets on Saturday, a match of more material immediate significance to Mildenhall – team bosses Malcolm Vasey and Jason Gardner knowing that whoever came off second best in the match between (as they went in to the match) the second and third place teams in the NDL would be the Fen Tigers’ opponents in the Play Off semi.

Despite a good start by the visiting Bullets, it was the hosts Leicester who prevailed moving the Lion Cubs above Mildenhall in the nearly-completed table and meaning that it’s up to the Borders this coming weekend for the Fen Tigers.  The first leg of the semi-final will be at Berwick’s Shiefield Park track on Saturday 8th. October, with the second leg eight days later at Mildenhall Stadium on Sunday 16th. October.

The other semi-final will be completed, all being well, before the Fen Tigers take to track for that home leg of their tie as Oxford Chargers plan to host Leicester this Wednesday, with the second leg at Beaumont Park in the East Midlands city on the 8th.

FIXTURES:

Berwick Bullets vs. Mildenhall Fen Tigers [NDL Play Off S/F First Leg] Saturday 8th. October 7pm

Mildenhall Fen Tigers vs. Berwick Bullets [NDL Play Off S/F First Leg] Sunday 16th. October 3pm