THE Basingstoke Bison will open their English Premier League campaign with a cracker of a fixture as they face their arch local rivals the Guildford Flames on Saturday September 12.

The sides finished second and third in the standings last season, so it is the chance for some early bragging rights.

The Bison's first road trip is the following night, as they travel to EPL play-off winners the Peterborough Phantoms.

The second weekend of the season will see the Herd entertain the Manchester Phoenix, before they head to Shropshire to face the reigning league champions Telford.

This year for the first time the Bison have have three Friday night home games the first being against the Guildford Flames on October 16.

They have a busy Christmas period with a triple header starting with a trip to Swindon on Boxing Day followed by Bracknell at home and Guildford away.

Bison player/coach Doug Sheppard said: "It certainly is a tough start having Guildford and Peterborough, but I think this league is going to be tougher this season.

"There is a lot more parity between the sides this season and everyone will be taking points off everyone. If you take a night off you are going to get beat."

The full fixture list is below

SEPTEMBER
12 Guildford (h)
13 Peterborough (a)
19 Manchester (h)
20 Telford (a)
26 Hull (h)
27 Bracknell (a)

OCTOBER
3 Telford (h)
4 Manchester (a)
10 Milton Keynes (h)
11 Peterborough (a)
16 Guildford (h)
17 Milton Keynes (a)
24 Sheffield (a)
25 Swindon (h)
31 Manchester (h)

NOVEMBER
1 Swindon (a)
7 Sheffield (h)
8 Guildford (a)
14 Bracknell (h)
15 Hull (a)
21 Milton Keynes (h)
28 Hull (h)

DECEMBER

5 Telford (h)
6 Manchester (a)
12 Peterborough (h)
19 Sheffield (a)
20 Bracknell (a)
26 Swindon (a)
27 Bracknell (h)
28 Guildford (a)

JANUARY
2 Peterborough (h)
3 Peterborough (a)
9 Manchester (h)
10 Hull (a)
16 Sheffield (h)
17 Telford (a)
22 Milton Keynes (h)
23 Hull (a)
30 Bracknell (h)
31Manchester (a)

FEBRUARY

6 Peterbrough (h)
7 Sheffield (a)
12 Swindon (h)
13 Guildford (a)
14 Swindon (a)
17 Milton Keynes (a)
20 Sheffield (h)
21 Bracknell (a)
27 Telford (h)

MARCH

5 Hull (h)
12 Telford (a)
13 Swindon (h)
19 Milton K (a)
20 Guildford (h)