LEICESTER head to Redcar on Good Friday (7.30pm) at the start of a crunch weekend for their Championship Shield prospects.
Positive results over three matches in three days will see the Watling JCB Lions secure a place in the semi-finals, as they currently lead the group at the halfway stage.
All six matches in the section so far have resulted in home wins, but the Lions hold the advantage on account of the point they gained from a narrow defeat at Scunthorpe – and they also hold a significant race-points advantage over the other three clubs.
Friday’s trip to Teesside is followed by a blockbuster home-and-away double with Sheffield over Saturday and Sunday, with the Tigers appearing to be their closest rivals at this stage.
But Redcar themselves have shown good home form, defeating Sheffield 49-39 in their last outing – in contrast to their heavy defeat at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena last month.
Ironically the Lions’ last away win at this level came on their last visit to the Media Prima Arena in August 2013, one of two successes at the North-East venue in that season.
Boss Stewart Dickson names an unchanged side, with Ellis Perks having had a successful season in Bears colours back in 2017.
Said Dickson: “We are right in the mix in the group and the point we gained at Scunthorpe could yet turn out to be absolutely vital.
“This will now be a massive 72 hours for us, it’s three crucial meetings in the Championship Shield.
“Hopefully we will manage to pick up something on Teesside, although Redcar have looked terrific on their home patch so far this season.”
REDCAR: Michael Palm Toft, Tom Bacon, Ben Barker, Jordan Stewart, Charles Wright, Nathan Greaves, Jack Smith.
LEICESTER: Scott Nicholls, Ellis Perks, Josh Bates, Ryan Douglas, Richie Worrall, Jack Thomas, Connor Mountain.
