POSTPONED: OXFORD v LEICESTER (NDL GRAND FINAL)

SATURDAY’S scheduled NDL Grand Final 1st leg match between Oxford Chargers and Leicester Lion Cubs at Cowley Stadium has been postponed. Despite the best efforts of the Oxford track staff an inspection of the track concluded the racing surface would be too grippy in the event of racing taking place. A new date will follow in due course.

OXFORD return to full strength with skipper Jordan Jenkins back from injury for the first leg of the NDL Grand Final against Leicester at Cowley tonight (Saturday).

Jenkins takes his place for the Chargers after missing the senior side’s play-off exit at Glasgow, with the hosts looking to turn the tables on the Lion Cubs who knocked them out in the semi-finals last year.

Leicester also have their No.1 Dan Thompson back in business after a recent lay-off, and reserve Vinnie Foord returns from concussion, but captain Joe Thompson misses out as he is racing for Poole, with Ben Morley coming in to guest.

Oxford boss Peter Schroeck said: “It’s great to have Jordan back in the squad. He has come on leaps and bounds this season and has been a key man for not only the Chargers but the Cheetahs too.

“It’s critical we keep last places to a minimum. Supporting each other to achieve that has been our philosophy all year and that approach doesn’t change this week.”

Leicester manager Dave Howard said: “In the first leg we will be giving everything to keep it as close as possible with Oxford, to put us in a good position for the second leg at home on Sunday.

“In the regular season there was only one point between us in the aggregate home and away score, so we know the Final will be a big challenge, but we will be giving our all to try to win the NDL for the third time in the last four seasons.

“But this will probably be the toughest challenge we have faced in the Finals we have been in.”

OXFORD: Jordan Jenkins, Ryan Kinsley, Jody Scott, Luke Killeen, Henry Atkins, Jacob Clouting, Jason Garrad.
LEICESTER: Dan Thompson, Ashton Boughen, Max Perry, Tom Spencer, Ben Morley, Vinnie Foord, Max James.