This weekend sees Mildenhall Fen Tigers go head to head with Plymouth Devils in search of the first silverware of the season – the National Trophy final.

Tomorrow evening at the St Boniface Arena, a weakened Fen Tigers take to the track for the first leg with Connor Mountain, Danny Halsey and Luke Ruddick all missing.

Mildenhall welcome back Danno Verge in one of the reserve berths where he will be partnered by exciting prospect and current British Youth Champion Drew Kemp.

Promoter Kevin Jolly has had a fruitless search for guests during the week and was grateful to Matt Bates for accepting the booking after many other riders turned down the opportunity for a variety of reasons.

Thankfully for the Fen Tigers, Mountain is able to return on Sunday and young Kent racer Anders Rowe replaces Ruddick.

Plymouth have injury concerns of their own, with Steve Boxall and Benji Compton missing both meetings. The Devils will operate rider replacement for Compton while Liam Carr guests for Boxall in the first leg, with Josh Bailey coming in at West Row on Sunday.

“I have searched high and low for guests and have spoken to numerous riders, they are either racing elsewhere or not interested riding in the fixture,” said Jolly.

Thankfully Matt Bates has agreed to ride on Friday and I am very grateful to him for taking the booking and wanting to ride.

“We have Alex Spooner covering Luke and will just have to battle for every point on offer and keep things as tight as possible ahead of Sunday. It will not be easy for sure, but we have been in a number of battles this year and to date the riders have always responded well.”

Tomorrow’s teams:

Plymouth : 1. Adam Roynon 9.67 2. Richard Andrews 4.20 3. r/r Benji Compton 6.34 4. Henry Atkins 4.56 5. Liam Carr (g) 9.38 6. William O’ Keefe (g) 3.00 7. Callum Walker 3.95

Mildenhall : 1. Matt Bates (g) 9.08 2. r/r Dan Halsey 7.51 3. Jordan Jenkins 7.51 4. Alex Spooner (g) 5.13 5. Jon Armstrong 6.70 6. Danno Verge 4.72 7. Drew Kemp (g) 3.00

Sundays teams:

Mildenhall: 1. Connor Mountain 9.08 2. R/R Danny Halsey 7.51 3. Jordan Jenkins 7.51 4. Anders Rowe (g) 5.13 5. Jon Armstrong 6.70 6. Danno Verge 4.72 7. Drew Kemp (g) 3.00

Plymouth: 1. Adam Roynon 9.67 2. Richard Andrews 4.20 3. R/R Benji Compton 6.34 4. Henry Atkins 4.56 5. Josh Bailey (g) 9.38 6. Jason Edwards 3.00 (g) 7. Callum Walker 3.95