Eagles V Kings And Eagles V Fen Tigers 16/09/2017

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Eastbourne face two matches on one night on Saturday knowing that success will see them finish in top spot in this year’s National League.

The No 1 slot will not, however, give the IT First Eagles the title.

It means they will qualify for the Play Offs to decide the champions and can choose their opponents for the semi-final.

First up at Arlington Stadium on Saturday night (7pm start) are the Kent Kings who have stormed up the table with a late run and now must fancy their chances of taking the league pennant in the final showdown.

Once that match is done and dusted, the Mildenhall Fen Tigers take centre stage.

It all adds up to 30 heats of speedway.

Team manager Connor Dugard said: “Two vital home matches that we know will be tough but, if we want to finish top, we have to win both of these matches. It would mean that we would not be looking for wins in our last two away matches, although that is what we will, of course, be aiming to do.”

The home riders face a busy night and some could have 12 rides during the course of the evening.

“At this time of the year, the boys are super fit from racing. A lot of time is being spent in the workshops this week to try and make sure the equipment is right for such a big night and so much work,” Dugard commented.

The top of the National League table is complicated, with a number of matches having been rained off recently, including the Eagles trip to Cradley last Monday which has yet to be rearranged.

Fixture picture

Belle Vue are top on 44 points with one match to ride. That’s against Eastbourne on the Young Colts own Manchester track on Saturday, September 23.

Eastbourne are in second place with 43 points with four matches still to ride. Two of those are this Saturday with the away matches at Belle Vue and Cradley still to come.

Kent are third on 39 points with three matches to ride. Their matches are at Eastbourne on Saturday, away at Buxton on Sunday and away at Stoke on September 23.

Lakeside are fourth – and sitting in the final Play Off place at the moment – with one match still to ride - also at Buxton on Sunday.

Birmingham, the defending champions, are fifth on 33 points and have one away match to ride – away at Plymouth on Friday night.

Cradley are sixth on 31 points with two matches to ride – away to the Isle of Wight on September 21 and the match against Eastbourne, on a date to be announced.

Mildenhall are seventh on 29 points with four matches to ride – away at Eastbourne on Saturday, home to the Isle of Wight on Sunday, away to Stoke on September 23 and an away match at Plymouth to be arranged.

The race for top spot is between the Young Colts, the Eagles and the Kings.

If Eastbourne win both matches on Saturday, they will gain six points and it would be impossible for Belle Vue or Kent to catch them.

Eastbourne: Jake Knight, r/r for Georgie Wood who is riding for Sheffield in the Championship, Josh Bailey, Charley Powell, Tom Brennan, Jamie Halder, Mattie Bates.

Kent: Luke Bowen, Anders Rowe, Ben Hopwood, Dan Greenwood, Jack Thomas, William O'Keefe, George Hunter.

Mildenhall: Connor Mountain, Luke Ruddick, Jordan Jenkins, Jon Armstrong, Dan Halsey, Alex Spooner, William O’Keefe