PREVIEW: SHEFFIELD v LEICESTER (WSRA NDL)

SHEFFIELD host unbeaten leaders Leicester with the visitors looking to take another step towards the WSRA NDL title tonight (Thursday).

The Tiger Cubs are one of two teams who can mathematically overhaul the Lion Cubs, although that is an outside chance, with Oxford the nearest challengers.

Leicester are three points ahead of Oxford with a match in hand, and those sides meet at Cowley on Sunday. The Lion Cubs operate rider replacement for the injured Vinnie Foord, and they hold a 63-27 advantage for the aggregate point.

Sheffield co-boss Paul Tatam said: “We know it will be a tough test, but as a group we will give it everything we’ve got. How good would it be if we could tame those Lion Cubs?

“So far this season we have had some ups and downs, but all the lads have taken some steps in the right direction.”

Lion Cubs manager Dave Howard said: “Obviously it’s a very good situation, but we’ve still got to win another away meeting, and that should clinch the league.

“On the points difference that we’ve got between ourselves and Oxford, they’re on plus 24 and we’re on plus 129, so that’s a good position to be in.

“We have three away matches left, so we want to be in a position where we can complete the task and win the NDL.”

SHEFFIELD: Nathan Ablitt, Mickie Simpson, Stene Pijper, Ace Pijper, Luke Harrison, Kean Dicken, Jamie Etherington.
LEICESTER: Joe Thompson, Sonny Springer, Tom Spencer, Vinnie Foord r/r, Luke Crang, Max James, Arran Butcher.
SCB Referee: Craig Ackroyd