AFTER what head coach Doug Sheppard is called their best performance of the season against the Bracknell Bees, Basingstoke Bison will look to carry that momentum into this weekend’s fixtures.

With captain Aaron Connolly looking to return this Saturday against the Swindon Wildcats, and youngsters Hallam Wilson and Sam Brooks both in the mix Sheppard has a welcome selection headache.

For this campaign the man in charge of the Herd has assembled a strong forward line, allowing him to tinker with his strength-in-depth.

However, Sheppard said form is going to be the deciding factor in who takes to the ice in the upcoming weekends fixtures.

He said: “We have really good friendly competition among the forwards at the moment and it is nice to have the depth to our squad.

“Experience and age aren’t going to be the deciding factors, it is going to come down to the guys who are playing well and can get a job done.”

“With the competition for places, everyone has to be ready to play hard and do a job.”

One player who has already caught the eye this season is Brooks, one of the forwards who will be vying for a starting place on Saturday.

Having set up the decisive goal giving the Bison bragging rights over the Bees last Sunday, Sheppard was quick to heap praise on the youngster.

He added: “Sam was a huge part of our win on Sunday. We have some really talented young players from the local area who are showing they can make a difference out on the ice, Sam is among them as is Hallam Wilson.

“It is nice to have the depth that we now have as when we have two high pressure games on a weekend it means we can mix things up a bit more and we will certainly be the fresher of the two sides.”

The Herd travels to Swindon on Saturday, 23 September before hosting Sheffield Steeldogs on Sunday.