PREVIEWING PIRATES V STARS

Matt Ford insists King’s Lynn will pose an entirely different test for his in-form Volvo Cars Poole Pirates septet tomorrow.

The Pirates go into the SGB Premiership clash against the Stars on the crest of a wave, having destroyed Leicester twice in the space of six days.

Led by new boy Chris ‘Bomber’ Harris, the Pirates stormed past the Lions 58-32 at Wimborne Road last Wednesday, before inflicting more misery on the East Midlanders when collecting all four points in a 53-37 away win on Monday night.

But with the Stars boasting British champion Robert Lambert and newly-installed 2019 World Championship racer Niels-Kristian Iversen among their ranks, Ford knows his confident side will need to find an even higher gear to keep their play-off push on track.

Iversen finished the weekend’s Grand Prix Challenge in Landshut with 11 points, one behind winner Janusz Kolodziej, while Lambert missed out on a run-off for the final 2019 series place by just one point.

Ford said: “Everyone at Poole was so happy for Robert when he won the British title and we’re equally pleased to see one of the sport’s nice guys in Niels back where he belongs on the world stage.

“He’s a quality rider and the Grand Prix needs the likes of Niels. That said, from a Pirates point of view, the fact he is coming into this meeting on the back of such a great result in Landshut is not ideal for us!

“He and Robert are in such good form and, although we are in a great place ourselves after the Leicester wins, we will need to probably step up another notch to keep King’s Lynn quiet.

“The play-offs are almost within reach for us, but we need to ensure we win our home meetings, starting with this one against very solid opposition.”

Kacper Woryna moves to reserve alongside Frederik Jakobsen for tomorrow night’s clash, with Nicolai Klindt moving to number three.

The Stars, meanwhile, are using former Pirate Kyle Newman as a guest for Jason Garrity. Newman failed to score as the Norfolk side ran out 49-41 winners at the Adrian Flux Arena on Monday.

Pirates: 1 Brady Kurtz, 2 Josh Grajczonek, 3 Nicolai Klindt, 4 Richie Worrall, 5 Chris Harris, 6 Kacper Woryna, 7 Frederik Jakobsen.

Stars: Robert Lambert, 2 Michael Palm Toft 3 Ty Proctor, 4 Thomas Jorgensen, 5 Niels-Kristian Iversen, 6 Simon Lambert, 7 Kyle Newman (guest).