LEICESTER star Sam Masters says the pieces should be in place for another strong season at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park this season.
The Watling JCB Lions’ vice-captain is back for his second year with the club and he believes there’s no reason why they can’t mount another challenge for top honours.
Masters has spoken in-depth about the coming campaign in a YouTube interview where he also looks ahead to his season with Oxford in the Championship and in Poland, as well as his involvement in early season Testimonial meetings.
And he says whilst the frustration of the Lions missing out in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership Grand Final to Belle Vue last season was felt by the whole side, 2024 still had to go down as a positive year.
He said: “Belle Vue obviously won, and won comfortably in the end, and unfortunately we went to their track and it was flogging down with rain which sort of ruined it a little bit, I think.
“We had a team that could have won but obviously we weren’t strong enough all the way to the end. But we dug deep, did our best and the main thing is we had a lot of fun.
“At the time it was hard to take, getting second is hard to take, but when you look at the big scheme of things and when you’re back in Aussie talking about your season, what we did is actually quite cool.
“From where we started to how we finished it was a bit different! We had a lot of boys who were new to the club at Leicester, and it took us a bit to find our feet, but once we did we were a pretty dangerous team, so we’ll see how we go this year.
“We’ve got pretty much the same team, just one change, and a good bunch of boys again which is always good fun. If everyone’s having fun and happy, points come easier!
“Kyle (Howarth) is a lovely fellow, he gives 110 per cent, 120 per cent even, and he’s always a good laugh too, so we’ve still got that team spirit that I think helped us get to the Final last year.
“We’ll miss (Richard) Lawson, he was a really good guy to have in the team and I enjoyed racing with him so he’ll be missed for sure, but we’ve still got a good team again and we’ve got to look forward.
“We’ve got to aim to get to the play-offs first, and do similar to last year, but one better would be nice!”
*SAM MASTERS INTERVIEW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3IQoR5ip6M
