LEICESTER Lion Cubs kick off a hectic schedule at Oxford on Sunday (3pm) as their chase to win the WSRA National Development League title continues.
The Lion Cubs have remarkably only raced three league matches so far this season, all at home, following a series of postponements for various reasons to their away programme.
They are one of two teams in the league who still have a 100 per cent record, the other being Edinburgh Monarchs Academy who are six points clear having won all five of their matches.
The two sides are scheduled to meet home and away in mid-September, but before that the Lion Cubs travel to Cowley and then face a rebuilt King’s Lynn team at home on September 6.
Leicester have not raced since the reverse fixture against the Chargers on July 12, when they won 56-34, and one consolation of that lack of action is that reserve Seth Norman has not missed any meetings.
The 15-year-old suffered back injuries in a crash during a non-league event last month, but the four-week recovery period quoted has proved accurate, and he takes his place in a full-strength side on Sunday.
The Chargers are defending champions but are unlikely to repeat that feat this season after suffering four defeats out of six so far, although they are a better side on paper than those results suggest.
They are led by the league’s top rider, Jody Scott, and they are boosted by the return of Senna Summers after an injury absence, whilst Emerson Betty fills in for the retired Mason Watson at reserve.
Leicester manager Jen Crossland said: “The boys can’t wait to get going again, and we know this is now the most important part of the season.
“It’s great news that Seth has been declared fit to race. We didn’t put any pressure on him at all and we wanted to see how he came through a practice at Leicester last Sunday, and thankfully that all went well.
“We’re in a strong position for the aggregate point at Oxford but it’s a meeting we want to win, although we know they are strong on their home track and I think it will be a really good match.”
The Lion Cubs would very much appreciate support on the day at Cowley, but for those unable to make it, the meeting will be live streamed at https://livestream.oxfordspeedway.club/ , and live updates will be available at https://live.britishspeedway.co.uk/ .
OXFORD: Jody Scott, Senna Summers, Harry Fletcher, Ashton Vale, Darryl Ritchings, Emerson Betty, Max Broadhurst.
LEICESTER: Ben Morley, Tom Spencer, Max Perry, Ryan Ingram, Freddy Hodder, Eli Meadows, Seth Norman.
