Mildenhall Fen Tigers manager Jason Gardner says beating Leicester Lion Cubs would be ‘one of greatest comebacks’
Mildenhall Fen Tigers team manager Jason Gardner insists it would be ‘one of the greatest comebacks’ if his side can overcome an 11 point deficit against Leicester Lion Cubs in the second leg of their National Development League (NDL) Knock Out Cup Final.
After going down 38-49 in the opening leg of the contest at Mildenhall Stadium earlier this month the Fen Tigers require something out of the ordinary to inflict a first home defeat on the Lion Cubs this season when the two sides clash on Saturday as part of a double header.
The Fen Tigers will take to the track following the conclusion of the opening leg of the NDL Grand Final between the Lion Cubs and Oxford Chargers which is due to start at 6.30pm, however should the weather intervene the fixture will be moved to Sunday (3pm).
This weekend’s fixture will be the third attempt to stage the second leg of the NDL Knock Out Cup Final at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena after both the initial fixture on October 14th and the re-arranged date on October 22nd both fell victim to the weather.
Gardner said: “It has been very frustrating as we have been kicking our heels and waiting for Leicester to fit things in.
"Leicester gave us the same problems at the end of last season in their leg of the NDL Grand Final which ended up being run at King's Lynn in November.
"In October the weather is always likely to be bad, but fingers crossed we can get some action on Saturday and get the final out of the way.
“We know it will be a tough ask as Leicester have a formidable home record in this division. It would be one of the greatest comebacks if we managed to win at Leicester.”
The Fen Tigers will make a raft of changes for the fixture with number one Alfie Bowtell and reserves Sam Woolley and William Richardson missing the fixture through injury while George Congreve is also absent having gone back to New Zealand.
Slotting in as guest at number one will be Kent Royals star Ben Morley, while unattached three pointer Andrew Braithwaite comes in for Congreve and fellow unattached three pointer riders Kai Ward and Billy Budd will fill the two reserve berths.
“We all know what Ben Morley is capable of at number one, while It is great to give a youngster like Billy Budd an opportunity,” said Gardner.
“Billy is only 15 and Mildenhall has always been a club to give riders opportunities to see what they can do. There is no pressure on those coming into the team whatsoever.
“Kai Ward will slot in and score some points at reserve like he did in the league match for us at Leicester.
“We have got to put ourselves in the position to pick up any points if Leicester have any bad luck.
“We have just got to go out and do what we can and hopefully some of the lads can put themselves in the shop window for next season.”
*Last night Fen Tigers star Ben Trigger was scheduled to be in action in the British U-19 Final at Perry Barr, home of Championship side Birmingham Brummies.
