THE Basingstoke Bison need to win three of their last five games, to be crowned league champions for the first time since 1993.

This consists of three home games and two away with a visit from the Hull Pirates on Saturday (6.30pm), the first of their final five fixtures.

After this a week on Saturday the Herd travel to Telford, before entertaining Swindon on home ice the following night.

The Bison’s final weekend of the regular season will see then travel to Milton Keynes on March 19, with their final league game is in Basingstoke against title rivals Guildford 24 hours later.

The race for the league title is now just a three horse race with the Herd currently holding a nine point advantage over both their nearest rivals, the Peterborough Phantoms and Guildford Flames.

Even if the Phantoms have two games in hand on the Bison and the Flames one, they will need the Herd to slip up if they are going to take the league crown.

On paper Saturday’s game looks the easiest game of the five left this season, but the Pirates have beaten the Bison already this campaign, but it was not in Basingstoke.

However, they will set sail for Hampshire have won last week, which snapped an 11-game losing streak.

The Herd will welcome back Joe Greener from suspension for the clash and hopeful Alan Lack will be back from injury.

Last weekend. the Bison enjoyed a great home win over Telford, which saw captain Aaron Connolly lead by example with a brace of goals.

Herd head coach Doug Sheppard is hoping for the same again this weekend and said: “We produced a great team performance against Telford and I want us to do that again this weekend.

“Hull are a young team and will come into our barn and work really hard. We want to continue our great run of form on home ice backed by our great supporters.”

l The Bison players will be waiting tables all in aid of charity on Wednesday night. The event is at one of the Bison sponsors Zizzi and will raise money for Health Poverty Action.

Tables can be reserved now by ringing (01256) 358300 and the night with feature a special raffle.