UPDATE: POOLE V SOMERSET - GOOD FRIDAY 11AM

The VOLVO CARS POOLE PIRATES have been forced into a late change of guest rider for their two meetings against top flight debutants Somerset on Good Friday.

With home and away meetings against the Cases Somerset Rebels - the first time these clubs have met in league action, Poole had originally booked British Champion to guest in place of number one Krzysztof Kasprzak, but King has been ruled out and so Poole promoter Matt Ford has drafted in Australian Nick Morris as cover.

Morris a former Rebel himself will be no stranger to the Oak Tree Arena which hosts the second of the two contests, with the first seeing tapes up at Wimborne Road at 11am (gates opening 9.30am).

Promoter Matt Ford, who is hoping for plenty of holiday support has expressed his thanks to Morris for stepping in at short notice. 

 "I am pleased Nick has agreed to take these booking with us at such short notice and hopefully he will have chance to shine. With a new club to do league battle against and a local one to us then I would like to think we can attract a good crowd for Friday. It looks to be a good meeting and I know for sure that Garry (May) will be hoping to push us all the way. We have seen even in these early weeks that there are no easy meetings but we will be keen to follow up our away win at Leicester and put more points on the board over the course of the weekend."

 Whilst Somerset may be knew to top flight British Speedway, having stepped up in class having been one of the most successful second tier clubs for several seasons, there will be plenty of familiar faces on show with former Pirates Rohan Tungate, Paul Starke and captain Josh Grajczonek all hoping to put their previous Wimborne Road knowledge to good cause. Joining that trio will be Pirates asset Charles Wright who has been called up for the Dorset club on several occasions as a guest and always given inspired performances. Danes Patrick Hougaard and Jan Graversen together with in-form reserve Jake Allen complete the Rebels septet who are managed by Poole-based builder Garry May.

 The VOLVO CARS POOLE PIRATES will be sure of a warm home-coming reception after winning their opening Premiership in style at Leicester last weekend with Brady Kurtz roaring to his first ever top flight maximum and will probably have an extra welcome for young James Shanes who won the British U21 semi-final, for the second year in succession on Tuesday night to book his place in the British U21 final which this season is being staged at Wimborne Road (April 26th).

Gates will open at 9.30am for the home meeting.

Teams from:

Poole: Hans Andersen (Capt), Jack Holder, Lewis Kerr, Nick Morris (Guest), Brady Kurtz, Nicolai Klindt, James Shanes Team manager: Neil Middleditch

Somerset: Josh Grajczonek (Capt), Patrick Hougaard, Paul Starke, Rohan Tungate, Charles Wright, Jake Allen, Jan Graversen Team manager: Garry May