LEICESTER return to the business of chasing silverware at NDL level in a double-header at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena, Beaumont Park on Saturday (6.30pm).
The final home action of the season sees the Lion Cubs face Oxford Chargers in what has become the first leg of the NDL Grand Final after a spate of postponements at both venues earlier this month.
And then the Cubs will look to complete the job in the NDL KO Cup Final, as they lead Mildenhall by eleven points heading into the second leg.
Dave Howard’s side are at full strength and they welcome back Dan Thompson as British Under-19 Champion after his brilliant performance at Birmingham on Wednesday on his return from injury.
Skipper Joe Thompson is now available for both legs of the Grand Final with his league and KO Cup commitments for Poole complete, and the twins are seeking a third NDL title in four seasons with their local club.
But Oxford are forced into a change for the first leg as heat-leader Henry Atkins is absent due to family commitments, and with no facility permitted the Chargers have to bring in three-pointer Kai Ward to replace him.
How significant the absence of Atkins will prove remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt the Lion Cubs will be keen to maximise home advantage having not lost a single meeting on their own track since they joined the NDL in 2019.
That said, the Chargers still include one of the outstanding riders in the league in Jordan Jenkins, along with another fast-rising talent in Luke Killeen, and they will be determined to keep the tie as close as possible ahead of Tuesday’s second leg.
As far as the KO Cup Final is concerned, Mildenhall have lost reserve Sam Woolley to injury and with William Richardson also sidelined and George Congreve back in New Zealand, the Fen Tigers bring in Ward, Andy Braithwaite and Billy Budd.
Howard said: “Both meetings will be massive challenges as both Oxford and Mildenhall will be giving their all to take the league and Cup away from the us.
“The fans’ support has been so appreciated by me and the team, and we will give everything we can to make it a great and successful end to the season for the Lion Cubs.”
LEICESTER (both matches): Dan Thompson, Ashton Boughen, Max Perry, Tom Spencer, Joe Thompson, Vinnie Foord, Max James.
OXFORD: Jordan Jenkins, Kai Ward, Luke Killeen, Jody Scott, Ryan Kinsley, Jacob Clouting, Jason Garrad.
MILDENHALL: Ben Morley, Arran Butcher, Ben Trigger, Andy Braithwaite, Lee Complin, Billy Budd, Kai Ward.
*SUPPORTERS are reminded of the admission policy for the double-header, including arrangements for those with tickets from the postponed Lion Cubs v Mildenhall meeting on October 14.
All tickets from that meeting are redeemable for one half of the double-header, with a £10 supplement payable for the second.
*If you have a ticket from October 14 and wish to watch both matches, you need to pay £10 (children £1) at the ticket office where you will receive a new ticket and a wristband.
*If you have a ticket from October 14 and wish to watch one match only, you need to exchange your ticket at the ticket office. After the Oxford match, supporters without a wristband will be asked to leave the stadium, and entry will also be possible for supporters who only wish to attend the Mildenhall match, once again by exchanging their ticket from October 14.
*If you do not have a ticket from October 14 and wish to watch both matches, you need to pay £24 (concessions £22, children £2) at the ticket office where you will receive a ticket and a wristband.
*If you do not have a ticket from October 14 and wish to watch one match only, you need to pay £14 (concessions £12, children £1) at the ticket office. After the Oxford match, supporters without a wristband will be asked to leave the stadium, and entry will also be possible for supporters who only wish to attend the Mildenhall match, by paying £14 (concessions £12, children £1).
Supporters who had pre-purchased tickets for the Oxford match when it was a single event are asked to come to the ticket office beforehand, should they wish to attend the second match, and receive a new ticket and wristband on payment of £10 (children £1).
