DUDLEY Heathens retained the National Shield for the third straight season with a 51-39 victory over rivals Mildenhall in the second leg at Monmore Wood.

Carrying a four point lead from the first-leg at West Row, the former Cradley club made a slow start with several mistakes pegging them back.

Yet, as the meeting wore on their class shone through — with back to back 5-1s in heats 11 and 12 proving decisive.

And team boss Will Pottinger was pleased to see his side lift the Shield once again.

He said: “It’s the third successive season where we’ve won the National Shield, so it’s a really pleasing result against a strong Mildenhall side.

“After a difficult start the lads rode well in the end, and I’m pleased with the performance.”

Lewis Blackbird continued his sparkling form against his former club, while Paul Starke and guest number one Robert Branford provided support.

Reserves Max Clegg and Nathan Greaves both shone to score paid nine and paid eight respectively with some exciting overtaking needed to earn those scores.

Gareth Isherwood bounced back from a heat one fall to make another vital contribution, whilst Dan Greenwood picked himself up from a nasty crash of his own in his opening ride.