THE Basingstoke Bison will look to stay top of the South One pile, when they travel to local rivals the Bracknell Bees on Sunday night.

However, before they can focus on another derby game, they have the little matter of their final National Cup group game at home to the Telford Tigers on Saturday evening (6.30pm).

The Herd cannot qualify for the quarter-finals, but Bison head coach Doug Sheppard wants his side to end the competition with a win and said: “We are playing on home ice, so I want the team to give the home fans something to cheer about.”

Forward Grant Rounding and defenceman Elliott Dewey are both expected back in the line-up for this weekend.

On Sunday (6.30pm), the Herd will be looking to maintain their perfect record at the Hive this season, having already won their twice in the National Cup.

Looking ahead to the derby clash, Sheppard said: “We are playing well at the moment and want to continue this. We know it is going to be a tough game as it always is in Bracknell.”