Cradley Heathens 68, Mildenhall 27

CRADLEY Heathens all but secured a place in the National League's play-off final by inflicting a crushing defeat on Mildenhall at Monmore Green tonight.

The Heathens will take a massive 41 point lead into semi-final second leg after dominating a depleated Fen Tigers outfit.

Cradley started in sublime fashion by securing 5-1 hauls in the first two heats of the night.

By heat four they'd rushed to a 19-5 lead thanks to impressive rides from Max Clegg, Paul Starke, Steve Worrall.

An early highlight of the contest saw Clegg snatch victory from Mildenhall's star man Simon Lambert in heat five.

After sitting behind Lambert, who was chasing double points for a tactical ride, for much of the race, Clegg then produced a brilliant pass on the final bend to cross the line in first.

Mildenhall's only race victory came in heat eight when Dan Halsey got the better of Nathan Greaves.

However, the visitors' joy was short lived as Heathens grew stronger and stronger as the clash drew to a close.

They wrapped up the night with maximum 5-1 scores in all of the last six heats as the contest finished 68-27.

CRADLEY 68: Steve Worrall 15, Paul Starke 13+2, Max Clegg 12, Matt Williamson 8+2, Danny Phillips 7+4, Nathan Greaves 7+2, Tom Perry 6.

MILDENHALL 27: Dan Halsey 12, Simon Lambert 6, Brendan Johnson 4, Ellis Perks 3, Luke Chessell 2, Michael Neale 0, Josh Bates R/R.
BRONZE HELMET:
Steve Worrall (Cradley) beat Dan Halsey (Mildenhall).