With the race for the play-offs reaching its final stages as September begins, the ‘KJM/Manchetts’ Fen Tigers face two of their main rivals Eastbourne, on Sunday at West Row, and Kent the next day at Central Park, knowing victories against both will see them crowned league champions ahead of those play-offs.

It will be no easy task though as both are play-off contenders and one of the teams will be in the KOC Final awaiting the winners of the Mildenhall/Belle Vue semi-final.

Eastbourne are considerably strengthened from their earlier visit to Mildenhall in the National Trophy with the long-awaited arrival of the talented young reserve Ethan Spiller who follows brother Daniel into the ‘Eagles’ ranks.

Kent too have been showing improved form in recent weeks being unbeaten in their last 12 meetings, with Alex Spooner a rider well known to Fen Tigers supporters piling up the points at reserve.

Mildenhall themselves are on a fine 12 meeting unbeaten run and have lost just twice in 24. They will be looking to go 14 unbeaten in the league on Sunday when facing Eastbourne at the later starting time of 4pm due to the Ipswich/Norwich derby clash at Portman Road.

Kevin Jolly is looking forward to a very busy couple of weeks.

“It will be a very busy time over the next fortnight with the KO Cup semi-final, National Trophy final and important League meeting against our main rivals,” he said.

“These meetings are what we’ve all worked so hard to make happen, everybody, the riders and management, have put everything into getting to this level of success.

“It is going to be full on from now on but we’ll be well set up for what is coming though. Danny Ayres is going to relish being at No. 1 and Drew will swap positions with him going to No.5 , they are proving an excellent partnership in the big heats and this seemed the logical move with the change in the averages.”

Teams

Fen Tigers, both meetings: 1 Danny Ayres, 2 Ryan Kinsley, 3 Josh Bailey, 4 Jordan Jenkins (c), 5 Drew Kemp, 6 Matt Marson, 7 Sam Bebee.

Eastbourne: 1 Georgie Wood, 2 Jason Edwards, 3 Mark Baseby, 4 Charley Powell, 5 Tom Brennan, 6 Ethan Spiller, 7 Charlie Brooks.

Kent: 1 Paul Hurry, 2 Anders Rowe, 3 Nathan Stoneman, 4 Taylor Hampshire, 5 Jack Thomas, 6 Jamie Couzins, 7 Alex Spooner.