Leicester make their second visit of the season to Eastbourne on Saturday in search of Elite League points.
The Rapid Solicitors Lions forged into an early lead during the ‘A’ fixture in April and although the Eagles eventually gained the upper hand the score-line of 52-37 to the home side was not a true reflection of well Leicester rode.
Since then Eastbourne have continued to maintain an unbeaten home record and have been unscathed by injuries which have disrupted Leicester’s team with the loss of Peter Ljung, Patrick Hougaard and Tom Perry at various times. With Ljung replaced by Lasse Bjerre, the Lions are still without Perry and Hougaard and in the meantime they continue to cover for their absent riders by the use of guests. King’s Lynn’s captain Rory Schlein takes the place of Hougaard and the former Leicester rider now at Coventry, James Sarjeant will deputise for Perry at Eastbourne.
“It is not an ideal situation we are in and whilst our guests have not let us down it is difficult to generate team spirit when the side is forever changing from match to match. Eastbourne never gives much away on their home track and therefore we need everyone to contribute points. We pushed them hard at their place in April and with Rory and James in the side I believe that it will be another close contest again” explained the Lions Team Manager Norrie Allan.
The Leicester team have not been together since their win against Belle Vue on 3rd May as the three subsequent fixtures against Swindon away, Birmingham and Poole at home during the Bank Holiday weekend were postponed due to the weather. After the Lions face Eastbourne on Saturday they have two more away fixtures in close succession at Wolverhampton on Monday and the re-arranged fixture at Swindon on Thursday 5th June.
Teams
Eastbourne: 1. Bjarne Pedersen, 2. Timo Lahti, 3. Joonas Kylmakorpi, 4.Cameron Woodward, 5. Mikkel Michelsen, 6. Lewis Blackbird and 7. Daniel Halsey.
Leicester: 1. Jason Doyle, 2. Simon Stead, 3. Mads Korneliussen, 4. Lasse Bjerre, 5. Rory Schlein, 6. James Sarjeant and 7. Max Clegg.
