LEICESTER finally launch their senior campaign with a trip to Scunthorpe on Friday in the first leg of their Championship KO Cup quarter-final tie.
The Cup was the one item of major silverware which eluded the Watling JCB Lions in their glorious 2019 campaign, as they were edged out by Eastbourne having travelled to Arlington with a threadbare team due to injuries – before so nearly recovering the deficit back at home.
Team boss Stewart Dickson has set his sights on another sustained bid for honours as the sport returns this year, and the first aim is to keep things as close as possible in Lincolnshire, or even pick up an away win.
The Lions were 49-40 winners on their last visit to the Eddie Wright Raceway back in August 2019, with former Scorpions rider Ryan Douglas starring with a 14-point haul.
The hosts have already raced once on their home circuit, securing a comfortable 56-34 win over Plymouth in a meeting which saw each of their riders score between seven and ten points.
New Lions skipper Kyle Howarth has recent experience of the circuit as he raced in that match as a guest for the Scorpions, picking up a solid total of 8+2 from four rides.
Meanwhile Nick Morris, who makes his Lions debut at No.1, is a former Scunthorpe rider and was involved in their greatest-ever night when he secured a title-winning 3-3 with Josh Auty in the 2012 Grand Final against Somerset.
Dickson said: “We want to put a good show on and if we can’t win, I think we can certainly try to keep it tight.
“We’ve got riders who can certainly ride that place, and we’re really looking forward to getting going.
“Obviously we’ve got to wait another week before we have a Lions meeting at home, but we’ll catch up in time and thankfully the weather is now improving!”
The second leg of the tie takes place at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena on Saturday June 12.
Lions fans should be aware that it is possible to pay cash on the day to gain entry at Scunthorpe, in addition to which a QR code on the gate must be scanned or name and address details must be filled in.
*TICKETS for the Roger Webster Lion Cubs’ home clash with Armadale on Saturday are still available. These must be purchased in advance, in accordance with our current restrictions. Full preview and team news to follow on Friday.
SCUNTHORPE: Josh Auty, Simon Lambert, Theo Pijper, Tero Aarnio, Thomas Jorgensen, Josh MacDonald, Jordan Palin.
LEICESTER: Nick Morris, Ty Proctor, Kyle Howarth, Josh Bates, Ryan Douglas, Dan Thompson, Joe Thompson.
