Our final installment of predictions for the remainder of 2023 sees us dip our toes into the National Development League, which happens to have no further fixtures planned for August, so September becomes a pivotal month in the race for top 2.
The first planned fixture will see the current table toppers Oxford Chargers take on Kent Royals. Oxford are in a rich vein of form at the moment, unbeaten at home this season, and it's difficult to currently pick any holes in their 1-7. Kent have shown real improvements, but their away form is still their Achilles Heel, and it's difficult to imagine them getting anything from Oxford.
Next up is a very intriguing clash in the race for top 2, as Belle Vue Colts, fresh from a home and away double against Workington, take on Leicester Lion Cubs. Belle Vue are another side who are very strong at home, only failing to hit 50 points once - funnily enough last time out against Workington. They have Smith, Pearson, Hagon, Hodder and Marson in a more than competitive top 5, and they'll need to be on the top of their game against a strong Lion Cubs side. I think Belle Vue will take the victory on the evening, but Leicester will be looking at Joe Thompson, Boughen, and most probably a guest for the injured Dan Thompson to see them over the line for the BP, which they currently lead by 12. I think Leicester will do it.
Leicester Lion Cubs then return to action at home to Workington, where they are usually so dominant. Workington have been beset by injuries and lack of form this season, so I see Leicester taking this comfortably, knowing a top 2 position could be on the line. They are down by 11 on aggregate, but again, only once this season have they been restricted to less than 51 at home.
Kent will take on Edinburgh Academy, and at this stage of the season, it's more about pride than success, but it will mean a lot to these riders. Morley and Ablitt have formed a strong top end partnership, and particularly at home, Tom Woolley has been more than able in backing up. They have been massively impacted by injuries to Kingston and Naylor, but given the right guest option, I think they can overcome Edinburgh. Edinburgh themselves have injury concerns, with Roynon and Spooner still sitting on the side-lines, and appear to have a long tail away from home. I fancy Kent to take the 2 points, but Edinburgh to pick up the BP, which they lead by 15.
Mildenhall will also ride Workington, and they have now lost the services of Josh Warren for the remainder of the season, Sam Woolley checking into the void. Led by Bowtell and Complin, they have more than enough available in the top 5 to see off a Workington side, picking up all 3 points in the progress after their victory at Workington.
Edinburgh return to home ways to take on Mildenhall in a clash that could go either way. Wood and Simpson will be more suited to Armadale, and a crucial battle could be between Parker, Richardson and Woolley at reserve for each side. There will be some interesting battles between Bowtell, Complin, Hook and Clegg, that's for sure. I fancy Edinburgh to nick this, but the BP is hanging in the balance with Mildenhall leading by 7. I'm just going to shade Edinburgh for this, purely because of Simpson at reserve.
It's sure to be an emotional time for the Berwick Bullets as they come to the tapes for the last time in 2023, and we do not know when the Bullets will return having already declared they won't be back in 2024. They come up against what will be an in-form Belle Vue, who should be coming here off the back of 5 victories. I'm sure everybody would love Berwick to say goodbye with a win, but with the form and injuries that have decimated their season, even traditionally poor travellers Belle Vue should come away with a win and the bonus point.
The last scheduled fixture left will be Oxford vs Edinburgh, and from reading previous comments above, I cannot see this going any other way than a home win. Oxford already hold a 25 point lead on aggregate, and this should be a formality for them.
There are just 3 fixtures left to be scheduled, one of those being Workington in their final league fixture of a comeback year, as they will take on Kent. It's been a tough season for Workington, but I see them finishing with a bang and a home victory. It's a stark difference to the track at Kent, and given the problems both teams have encountered with injuries, I can see Workington pulling this off. Can they take the bonus point? 10 points down, I think its a tough task, but 3 home wins by more than 10 give me confidence in them.
The final 2 fixtures both see Leicester Lion Cubs at home, so lets start with potentially what should be the easier of the 2. A clash with last year's finalists, Mildenhall. Having already won at West Row earlier in the season, I sense the Cubs will keep the pressure on and win comfortably at home.
The final clash, a home fixture which was curtailed last week due to the rain, with the Lion Cubs leading 17-13 against the Oxford Chargers. Leicester know this will be tough and have to maintain the same aggression they did that evening. Expect them to be fired up, and take the victory of the hard charging Chargers. Oxford lead by 11, and I think they will hold onto the bonus point, giving us a predicted final table as below:
1. Oxford 28
2. Leicester 28
3. Belle Vue 24
4. Mildenhall 19
5. Edinburgh 16
6. Workington 12
7. Kent 11
8. Berwick 2
Oxford will shade the top position on points difference but its sure to be 2 hotly contested legs for the Grand Final, and meetings surely not to be missed. It's a really tough one to call, but I'm going to back 2 home wins, with Leicester to just nick it on aggregate. Maybe Ashton Boughen could be the difference riding at his Championship club in the NDL?
Whatever happens, it's been another fantastic edition of the National Development League, and hopefully one which will go from strength to strength in 2024.
For now, have fun at the speedway, and of course any feedback, get in touch.
Nathan
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