LIONS UP FOR THE CHALLENGE

LEICESTER manager Stewart Dickson says he’s happy with current form with the countdown on to the second ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off semi-final.

The Lions face Sheffield next week with the first leg at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park on Monday, and they are familiar rivals having already met home and away three times this season.

Leicester secured heavy aggregate wins on the first two occasions, including in the KO Cup, but the Tigers prevailed by four points overall in the second round of league matches, suggesting a tight play-off encounter lies ahead.

Dickson said: “Both sides will be going into the semi-final in good shape, and we’re certainly in confident mood.

“We know Sheffield have strengthened up somewhat since we knocked them out of the Cup, and I do think Nick Morris has made a difference for them, especially now he’s had a few matches.

“Obviously we want to win the home leg and give ourselves a lead to defend, and I’m really not bothered that we have that meeting first. We’ve done it before against Sheffield with the home leg first.

“Our recent away form is good as well. We scored 54 at King’s Lynn and 58 at Birmingham, yes I know we got 40 at Sheffield, but we know we can get around that track and I feel there are areas where we can hurt them.

“I do expect a close semi-final, it might come down to who doesn’t have any bad luck, but this is what we’re here for and we’re all looking forward to it.”