‘Now we’re here, we want to win the league,’ Sam Hagon previews Leicester Lion Cubs’ play-off visit

Sam Hagon has every confidence that Oxford Chargers can take a lead from tonight’s National League play-off semi-final first leg against Leicester Lion Cubs at Oxford Stadium.

The Beaumont Park outfit visit Sandy Lane for the second time this season after Chargers’ spot in the end-of-season play-offs was confirmed late on Friday night when Belle Vue Colts slipped up away to Armadale Devils.

Hagon scored 7+1 when Chargers were held to a 45-45 draw by the Cubs in July, but he believes progress made by himself and his teammates in recent weeks makes improving that result possible when tapes rise at 7.30pm.

The 17-year-old knows what it takes to lift the National League trophy having won it with Mildenhall Fen Tigers a year ago. And now Hagon hopes to go back-to-back by helping Chargers into the league’s 2022 Grand Final.

“We want to win the league – it’s as simple as that,” said Hagon. “Leicester boast a really strong team and they will take some beating.

“But I do believe we’ve improved since the Cubs last raced at Oxford in July when we managed a draw. It’s a blow to lose Arran (Butcher), he’s been really useful at reserve this season and we’ll miss him.

“But we’ll welcome Ashton (Boughen) into the squad like he is one of our own. We will need to take a lead to Beaumont Park as Leicester are very strong at home.

“Achieving that is in our control, so we’ll do our best to ensure everyone is firing on all cylinders and ready for the challenge ahead.” 

The Waltham Abbey based rider revealed he never expected to be preparing for a play-off appearance this season when Chargers’ top four fate was out of their control.

Colts were required to pick up just one more league point by either winning, drawing or losing by six points of less against basement club Armadale.

But for the second time this year, the Manchester club appeared to be undone by a tight and technical track as they lost 51-36, confirming Chargers’ place in the play-offs.

Hagon was notified by his sister about the result and could not believe what he was reading.

“I was out training at the time when my sister text to ask if I had seen the score,” said Hagon. “I couldn’t believe it when it flashed up Armadale had won.

“I understand conditions were tricky, but Armadale clearly approached the meeting the right way and did ourselves a huge favour to keep Belle Vue out of the play-off hunt.

“This is almost a second chance for me and the boys now, and we’re determined to make the most of the opportunity in front of us.”

Tapes-up at Oxford Stadium for tonight’s National Development League play-off semi-final first leg tie between Oxford Chargers and Leicester Lion Cubs is at 7.30pm. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here.

Oxford: Jordan Jenkins ©, Nathan Stoneman R/R, Sam Hagon, Jody Scott, Henry Atkins, Ashton Boughen (G), Jacob Clouting.

Leicester: Dan Thompson, Max Perry, Connor Coles, Tom Spencer, Joe Thompson, Vinnie Foord, Mickie Simpson.