Having stormed into the Travel Plus National League Play Offs at a canter thanks to an incredible run of ten wins in 12 matches since losing at Belle Vue back in July, the Kent SLYDE Kings now reap their reward with a two-legged semi-final against Eastbourne – starting off with the home leg at Central Park Stadium on Monday 2^nd October.

Though Belle Vue have to negotiate Lakeside Hammers in their own semi, the likely opponents awaiting Kent in the Final which decides the destiny of the TPNL championship title itself are the Colts from Manchester – with whom the SLYDE-sponsored Kings finished the normal league campaign level on points at the top of the table.

Two of those crucial TPNL victories in the hugely impressive of form from mid-season onwards came at the expense of their local rivals: with the Eagles having their wings well and truly clipped thanks to an August Bank Holiday 54-36 win for the hosts at Central Park followed just over two weeks ago by a first ever competitive win achieved at the Arlington home of the Sussex side to the tune of 49-40.  That was actually Eastbourne’s first ever home defeat in this division (one they entered in 2015) and the twice runners up in the past two seasons know they face a big challenge against the rampant Kings.

They’ll be no complacency in the Kent ranks though – mindful that it was at this stage last term when the wheels came off their title-winning hopes, when despite like this year having finished second to Eastbourne’s third in the qualifying league rankings the Central Park, Sittingbourne-based side succumbed to their fierce local rivals in the play-off semi.

Team boss Chris Hunt is optimistic that he will have a full-strength side at his disposal with broken finger victim Bradley Andrews reporting fit to make his comeback into the side after an operation to pin his damaged digit and George Hunter who had to withdraw injured in last Saturday’s win over Stoke resting up after being diagnosed with a sprained ankle (no breaks, to everyone’s relief).

Hunter has been in awesome form and this has been a major factor in the recent fine run of wins and the Ongar-based racer gets his reward by moving up into the main body of the Kings’ side for the first time in his Kent career with new averages applying from Monday.  That means young Anders Rowe moves back to reserve where he has proved his worth many times since the 15-year-old made his Kings’ debut a couple of weeks into the 2017 campaign.

Eastbourne have no selection problems with Josh Bailey who was unavailable the last time they visited poised to ride at Central Park for a first time this term.  Skipper Georgie Wood is a very regular visitor to Central Park (often there as a spectator, being Maidstone-based) and will be looking to use his experience and track know-how to good effect.

Though the rider who’s ridden the Kent circuit the most recently is actually a total newcomer – Jason Edwards turned 15 less than two weeks ago and the youngster from Billericay turned up with his 500cc bike to sample some laps for the first time around Central Park during the Southern Development League meeting last Monday.  Little were the Kent management  to know that Edwards now has been selected not only by Lakeside to make his TPNL debut in their home leg semi against Belle Vue Colts on Friday but then is back at Central Park on Monday representing the Eagles.

The action gets underway on Monday 2^nd. October at 6.30pm and with a very large crowd anticipated spectators are advised to arrive early – gates open at 5pm.

Play Off Semi-Finals:

First Leg:  Kent SLYDE Kings vs. Eastbourne  Monday 2^nd. October – @ Central Park Stadium  6.30pm

Second Leg: Eastbourne vs. Kent SLYDE Kings  Saturday 7^th. October – @ Arlington Raceway  7.30pm