The battle for the National Development League [NDL] Play Offs reaches a crescendo for Mildenhall Fen Tigers – proudly sponsored by Manchetts Rescue and Recovery – this week with back-to-back matches against league new boys, Oxford Chargers: away on Wednesday 24th. and then at home at West Row on Sunday 28th.

Speedway has returned to Oxford this season after a 14-year gap and the Chargers have certainly turned their Cowley home into something of a fortress, dropping points so far only to Leicester Lion Cubs who drew there back in July. A similar result for Malcolm Vasey & Jason Gardner’s men or better still a victory, is vital to keep the fight for a top four position on track – in what is the Fen Tigers’ last away match of the regular NDL season.

The Oxford side who include a remarkable FIVE ex-Fen Tigers in their squad are currently sitting in fourth position in the table on 23 points, with Mildenhall one place and six points further back and with one match ‘in hand’. Obviously with the two sides meeting twice this week there’s potential for a complete turnaround in those positions and that has to be the Suffolk side’s aim.

For Mildenhall, their number one Jason Edwards returns after missing the draw at Kent at the weekend; and that match at Iwade has given the opportunity for the Fen Tigers’ ever astute management pairing to secure what could well be a decisive choice of ‘Guest’ to cover for the missing James Shanes, drafting in former GB Under 19 and League Riders’ Champion Max Clegg. Clegg was unbeaten on his NDL comeback for the Kent side on Sunday and Mildenhall fans will be hoping for similar perfection on Wednesday.

There’s still no Sam Bebee (who has been in such good form this term before injury struck) and so it’s Rider Replacement again to cover the missing second string.

For the man of the moment, reserve Josh Warren it’s a first ever outing on this circuit – but of course that’s by no means unusual, as it’s the same in fact for his team mates including Alex Spooner (who had a very successful high scoring comeback to the team on Sunday) and Jack Kingston, such has been the length of time the track in Cowley has been mothballed, making predicting a result here very difficult to call.

Warren commented,

“I have actually at least been able to sound out the place a bit having been there twice this year mechanic-ing for Danny King in the Championship – but yes, for me and the others it’ll be the first time we’ve actually ridden at Oxford. We know the significance of this fixture and will be giving it our all”.

Those five ex-Fen Tigers in the Chargers side are down to four though due to the season-ending injuries suffered by Nathan Stoneman – with their German Team Manager Peter Schroeck utilising R/R to cover for the former GB Youth Champion’s absence. There are two riders from last year’s NDL-winning Mildenhall side lining up against their old side in skipper, then and now, Jordan Jenkins and Sam Hagon. The other two are ex-Fen Tigers from the season before last, Henry Atkins and Arran Butcher. The sextet is completed by ex-Kent King Jacob Clouting and one of the surprise packets of this season, King’s Lynn-born Jody Scott. 15-year-old Scott has qualified for the GB U21 Final in his first senior competitive season.

The revamped stadium in Oxford has an advance tickets only system of entry – supporters should go to www.oxfordspeedway.club/tickets to book their e-tickets for the match which is on Wednesday 24th. August, 7.30pm start time. 

The address of the venue is Oxford Stadium, Sandy Lane, Cowley, OX4 6LJ