Looking to make history by overcoming an 11 points first leg deficit and take a record-making fifth National Development League [NDL] Knock-Out Cup, Mildenhall DJS Fen Tigers – proudly sponsored by Manchetts Rescue and Recovery – turn to a familiar face to lead the line against Leicester Lion Cubs on Saturday 14th. October.

With number one Alfie Bowtell out with a damaged shoulder after a high-speed crash in Sunday’s first leg, team boss Jason Gardner has recruited as ‘Guest’ replacement, the most experienced of NDL campaigners in Essex-based Ben Morley. 

As Gardner (also the club’s official historian) notes,

“Ben has ridden 12 times as a ‘Guest’ for the Fen Tigers – more than any other rider in the club’s history – scoring a whopping 119 points. On the circuit in Leicester where he won his second Riders’ Championship title, we couldn’t have wished for a better or more reliable stand-in for Alfie.”

It’s not the only change enforced upon Mildenhall after a torrid afternoon of spills in the First Leg. Regular all-season in the reserve berth, William Richardson is out with a broken leg – a major blow after the youngster has been such a stalwart for the DJS Fen Tigers in what has been his debut campaign in league Speedway.  

Coming in for Richardson though, is another rider with a good helping of experience, former Buxton and Isle of Wight rider Andrew Braithwaite. The 32-year-old from Coventry has launched a recent comeback after a number of years away from the NDL, impressing in amateur meetings at Scunthorpe and could be a significant inclusion. Born on Boxing Day, Braithwaite will be the rider Fen Tigers followers hope can deliver a knock-out blow in the reserve berth where he’ll be partnered by recent signing, Sam Woolley. 

Skipper Lee Complin (who along with Ben Trigger will carry the Fen Tigers’ colours into the NDL Riders’ Championship at Workington the day after the KOC Final) is back after an enforced absence on Sunday.

The hosts on Saturday, Leicester also lost one of their reserves at West Row last weekend, Vinnie Foord out for the Cup Final; and his place is being taken by Boston-based Sam Woods.

The Cup holders await a fitness test on Thursday involving their number one, injured shoulder-victim Dan Thompson to see if he can join his definitely-returning twin brother Joe in the KOC Final.

Last word to a bullish Gardner,

“The last time Ben Morley did ride as a ‘Guest’ for us was in the 2018 League Cup Final – and his contribution then was decisive in winning the Fen Tigers the silverware: more of that again will do very nicely on Saturday!”

The meeting is at Leicester Speedway, Beaumont Park, Leicester, Leics LE14 1DS with a 7pm start time on Saturday 14th. October.