PREVIEW: BIRMINGHAM v KING’S LYNN (NDT)

BIRMINGHAM stage their second National Development Trophy home fixture when they host King’s Lynn tonight (Monday).

The Bulls opened up with a win over Leicester Fox Cubs last time out, but are expecting a stern test from a Young Stars side led by Jody Scott and including 15-year-old talent Cooper Rushen at reserve.

Birmingham boss Laurence Rogers said: “They have some rising talent in their ranks and it should be a good battle for the points.

“Our side has strength in depth and that is what hopefully stands them in good stead to challenge for honours.

“But winning the NDT is not our primary aim. It is to give these lads track time and see them progress to bigger and better things.”

Young Stars manager Jason Pipe said: “Having seen Birmingham’s score from when they beat Leicester, it’s certainly going to be a good tester for us to start with.

“Yes, we are going to Perry Bar to win, and we do have a good chance of that, but if we don’t win, we have to make sure we keep the scores as tight as possible with an aggregate point now up for grabs over two meetings.”

BIRMINGHAM: Tom Spencer, Arran Butcher, Sam McGurk, Darryl Ritchings, Max James, Senna Summers, Eli Meadows.
KING’S LYNN: Jody Scott, Harrison Rogers, Ashton Vale, Max Perry, Luke Harrison, Calum Mitchell, Cooper Rushen.

SCB Referee: Dave Watters