PIRATES EAGER FOR WINNING START

Pirates Promoter Dan Ford feels there can be no better way for the 2021 Poole side to mark the new era for the club, than a win at arch-rivals Eastbourne on Saturday (May 29th).

The second tier of British Speedway has undergone more than one rebranding since a Poole side last rode a league fixture at this level, but they are eager to launch this latest phase in their illustrious history as they head along the A27 on Saturday for the evening fixture (7.30pm)

Both sides have seen their 2021 campaigns disrupted due to the weather, so will be taking to the track for their first competitive action of the season, so this South Coast seaside duel is eagerly awaited, not least by Pirates' promoter Dan Ford who claims "ideally we would have had some laps under our belt before looking to go in search of league points on the road but circumstances have contrived against us this season. Going to Eastbourne might not be easiest venue to start at, as it is not renowned as the simplest of tracks to negotiate, but, that said, I believe that the group of lads we have assembled have enough passion and determination about them to go and do a professional job.

"I would be delighted if, when we open at Wimborne Road on June 9th, we have already posted our first league points on the board. Eastbourne have some Arlington specialists in their side, a couple of ex-Pirates in Edward Kennett and Kyle Newman. I am hoping though that it will be our current crop of riders that make the headlines on Saturday."

Just as Poole's scheduled Knockout cup fixture at Plymouth was washed out last Tuesday, so too was Eastbourne's cup tie at Kent, thus further delaying the Eagles' season as they were due to start last Saturday night with the visit of Newcastle until the inclement weather intervened.

Teams - (from)
Eastbourne - Edward Kennett; Tom Brennan; Kyle Newman; Lewis Kerr;  Richard Lawson; Jason Edwards; Drew Kemp - Team manager: Trevor Geer
Poole - Rory Schlein; Zane Keleher; Steve Worrall; Stefan Nielsen; Danny King; Ben Cook; Danyon Hume - Team Manager: Neil Middleditch