LEICESTER head to Oxford on Wednesday for the first leg of what promises to be a titanic scrap between the two clubs for the National Development League title.
The Lion Cubs and the Chargers have been the outstanding teams throughout the NDL campaign, with the Cubs finishing four points clear at the top of the table, and the Cowley side well clear of the chasing pack as they reached the Grand Final.
In addition, Leicester took all seven of the aggregate points available to them in the regular season – but it was close against Oxford, with the Cubs going down 39-50 away from home, before a 50-38 victory at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena, Beaumont Park.
The away match back in mid-May took place in wet conditions and the Lion Cubs had plenty of misfortune on the night, but the Chargers have also grown as a team throughout the summer, developing into a powerful force on their own circuit.
Leicester were due to travel without skipper Joe Thompson, but he is now available due to the early postponement of the Poole/Scunthorpe Championship KO Cup Final.
That means only Vinnie Foord is absent from the Lion Cubs’ septet as he sits out the final days of his concussion absence, with Sam Woods stepping in to guest.
Oxford are at full strength with captain Jordan Jenkins returning from injury, and he forms a strong opening pairing with Ryan Kinsley. Luke Killeen has moved into the main body of the team since the previous meeting between the clubs.
Cubs boss Dave Howard said: “In our regular season league meetings home and away against Oxford, there was only one point between our aggregate total and theirs.
“So Wednesday at Oxford and then the second leg will be massive meetings and a massive challenge for us.
“We will be giving it everything we can as we attempt to retain the NDL title.”
OXFORD: Jordan Jenkins, Ryan Kinsley, Jody Scott, Luke Killeen, Henry Atkins, Jacob Clouting, Jason Garrad.
LEICESTER: Dan Thompson, Ashton Boughen, Max Perry, Tom Spencer, Joe Thompson, Sam Woods, Max James.
