PLAY-OFF RESTAGING

Wolverhampton and Poole will try again on Wednesday to conclude their play-off semi-final tie after Monday's scheduled attempt fell foul to a waterlogged circuit.

With the Pirates, holding a 12 point first leg advantage, keen to reach their 7th success play-off final they make the Midland trip with Rohan Tungate deputising for Dane Bjarne Pedersen who has a knee-ligament injury, which could lead him to miss the grand final should the Pirates qualify. Pedersen sustained the injury on Sunday whilst competing in the farewell meeting for his good friend, ally and former Poole team-mate Magnus Zetterstrom,. Chris Holder will re-assume captaincy of the side in the absence of Pedersen.

Following the moving of the fixture, Wolverhampton have also been forced to book a guest rider as the influential Jacob Thorssell is involved in the Swedish play-off final and so the Wolves look toward transfer-listed Chris Harris as cover. Wolverhampton were last finalists in 2009, the last year that the Pirates missed out on the last two! Wolverhampton were crowned champions that season after beating Swindon 95-90 in the final.

The second semi-final, between Belle Vue and Lakeside is also being ridden tomorrow after the Aces home leg was also washed out on Monday. The Manchester side, who finished top at the completion of their regular league programme, won the away leg at Lakeside and start as clear favourites to meet the aggregate winners of the Poole tie, which is delicately poised.

"It is good that we have a lead from the first leg and it is one that we intend to defend in earnest" admitted Poole boss Matt Ford. "That,though, is an easier thing to say than do as Wolverhampton are very strong on their home patch. We must go there with belief in ourselves, nobody ever said that winning league titles is an easy task and this year's title race has proven that. It is going to be a very interesting match especially if we can contain them sufficiently from the start."

Teams (from)
Wolverhampton: Chris Harris (guest), Peter Karlsson, Freddie Lindgren (capt), Sam Masters, Tai Woffinden, Max Clegg, Kyle Howarth - Team manager Peter Adams
Poole: Krzysztof Buczkowski, Chris Holder (capt), Brady Kurtz, Antonio Lindback, Rohan Tungate (guest), Adam Ellis, Kyle Newman - Team manager Neil Middleditch