If last season’s matches are anything to go by, Cambridge Lions’ season opener versus the MK Wolves will be quite the contest. Only 4 points separated the two teams in the Magic Weekend fixture last season, and the Lions ran MK close in a bad tempered second fixture at Sawston Rugby Club. The two teams had quite contrasting seasons last term, with The Lions only managing one solitary win at home to Kings Lynn Black Knights. Albeit very impressive, they will have to improve on their consistency to compete against some of the teams in this division. With Southend Spartans and MK Wolves both supplying players to the East Rugby League representative team, who finished their season unbeaten, including an outstanding win against North East Rugby League away at Kingston Park in Newcastle. However, with some of the talent the Lions have on offer, they will expect to have a few of their players representing East Rugby League before the end of the season.

The new East Rugby League Division 1 structure includes new club Luton Vipers, who welcome Cambridge Lions to their ground in the second game of the season on 20th May. A relatively unknown entity, it will be interesting to see how their season plays out against some of the more experienced teams in the division, especially in their Charity Shield season opener against last season’s East Premier Division beaten finalists Bedford Tigers.

The month of June will begin with an away fixture against Southend Spartans on 3rd June, followed by a home fixture the week after. Cambridge struggled against Southend last season, losing an exciting game 40-80 at Westcliff Rugby Club. But although their defence really took a battering, they still managed to score 7 tries in an impressive second half.

July 15th sees the Lions’ only fixture against Kings Lynn Black Knights. With the re-structure of the league meaning they don’t have to travel into the depths of West Norfolk, the Black Knights will travel to Sawston for a repeat of the Lions’ only win last season. Kings Lynn will be out for revenge and Cambridge will be looking to build on their only success from last year.

The Lions will have to play the whole season without Stand-off and record point scorer Justin Hall, with him taking up a managerial role for the season due to a serious knee injury obtained while playing at University. In addition to this they will be without utility big man Liam Meredith for much of the season due to (hopefully temporary) relocation. However, with many new faces set to come in Pre-season such as Ryan Coclough, Kerry Frazer and Tom Wigglesworth and many of the key players such as Noah Sloot, Dave Dexter and Josh Schmidt, last season’s top try scorer Finn Morrison and potentially Paul Pudney committing themselves for the coming season, the future looks bright for the Lions.