Cradley step one foot into the Grand Final

The defending champions were in flying form as they put in another dominant display on home soil last night to build up a huge advantage, ahead of the second leg at West Row on Sunday.

From the moment, Nathan Greaves fended off Simon Lambert to join Steve Worrall at the front for a Heathens 5-1 in the opening race of the night they looked on course for a crushing win.

And so it proved as they put in a superb all-around team performance, providing 14 race winners and running no last places on their way to their 19th consecutive win in all competitions.

All-action youngster Max Clegg proved perhaps the pick of the bunch, racing through the card with a scintillating display.

He hunted down Simon Lambert to snatch victory in a breathtaking heat five and prevent the visitors a tactical ride win on his way to a sublime maximum.

Ever-reliable top two Paul Starke and Steve Worrall also went unbeaten. Worrall successfully defended his Bronze Helmet Match Race title against Dan Halsey.

Nathan Greaves impressed in the engine room, while Danny Phillips and Matt Williamson comfortably outperformed their Mildenhall counterparts down at reserve.

With Tom Perry also notching a solid six points, the Heathens came away with another big win in an entertaining clash as they continue their quest to defend their title.

Cradley: 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: Dan Halsey 12, Simon Lambert 6, Brendan Johnson 4, Ellis Perks 3, Luke Chessell 2, Michael Neale 0, Josh Bates R-R.