LEICESTER Lion Cubs are back in action on Sunday (3pm) when they host newcomers Buxton at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park.
The Lion Cubs are already 49-41 up from the first leg of the NDL Challenge, and they will be keen to complete the double over the Bulls to set them up for a title challenge in the league this summer.
There has only been one league match so far, which was a win over Middlesbrough, but the Lion Cubs will have a much busier period from late June with plenty of points on offer.
The Buxton match was originally scheduled to be the season opener only for the weather to intervene close to start time, hence this Sunday’s re-arrangement.
It’s a full-strength team for the Lion Cubs, including in-form Ryan Ingram who scored a 15-point maximum in last weekend’s British Under-21 Qualifier.
Buxton are led by a powerful top two in Alfie Bowtell and Jack Smith, and they also include former Lion Cubs rider Arran Butcher. Jamie Etherington is missing from their middle order, and the Bulls will operate rider replacement.
Leicester manager Jen Crossland said: “It was an excellent performance from the whole team when we won at Hi-Edge last month, and now we want another strong display.
“We only need 42 points to secure the aggregate win, but I won’t be mentioning that at all on our track walk, because this is about winning on the day and continuing to build momentum.”
Gates open at 1.30pm, with admission £15 for adults and £13 for concessions. Children (12-16) £5 and under-12s £1. Lions season ticket holders can gain admission for £7. Rain-off tickets from the original meeting can also be used, if they were not done so at the Middlesbrough match on April 19.
LEICESTER: Ben Morley, Tom Spencer, Max Perry, Ryan Ingram, Freddy Hodder, Eli Meadows, Seth Norman.
BUXTON: Alfie Bowtell, Arran Butcher, Luke Harris, Jamie Etherington R/R, Jack Smith, Jack Shimelt, Ryan Ashcroft.
