LEICESTER Lion Cubs will come up against some familiar faces when they open their WSRA National Development League campaign on Sunday.
The Lion Cubs face Middlesbrough at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park at 3pm, and they are braced for a tough test against the North-East side.
The Tigers have been in the lower reaches of the NDL in the last two seasons but that could all change this time around as they track one of the most powerful spearheads in the competition.
No.1 and captain Ace Pijper scored heavily in the corresponding fixture last season and has additional Leicester experience from being part of the Fox Cubs set-up in 2025 – as does his younger brother Stene.
Meanwhile Ben Trigger had a second spell with the Lion Cubs last year and seemed set to be taking time out of racing this season, only to then sign on with Middlesbrough.
And they are joined by another established NDL heat leader Nathan Ablitt, who is also back with Scunthorpe in the Championship.
At second-string Kai Ward is another former Lion Cub, whilst the highly rated Charlie Southwick is at reserve along with newcomer Harry Sadler.
Leicester name a full-strength line-up although their hopes of competitive track time last weekend were thwarted by the weather when their planned challenge match against Buxton was called off due to heavy rain around start-time.
That meeting has been rearranged for May 31, meaning it’s now straight into league action against a side who are strongly tipped as fellow challengers.
Manager Jen Crossland said: “Middlesbrough look to have a very strong top order, and I’m sure they will pose us a significant challenge.
“There are some familiar faces in their team who have good experience around this track, so it may well be a close contest and we’ll be giving it 100 per cent to come out on top.”
Gates open at the Hydroscand Arena at 1.30pm, and rain-off tickets from last Sunday are valid for this or any other NDL home fixture this season.
LEICESTER: Ben Morley, Tom Spencer, Max Perry, Ryan Ingram, Freddy Hodder, Eli Meadows, Seth Norman.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Ace Pijper, Kai Ward, Nathan Ablitt, Stene Pijper, Ben Trigger, Harry Sadler, Charlie Southwick.
