PIRATES LOOK FOR MORE OF THE SAME

Poole promoter Dan Ford believes his side has a good foundation to work on when they visit the home of Plymouth Speedway on Tuesday night, for the second time this season. 

"We had a good all-round performance down there in the cup in what was a first showing on that track for the side, so I am sure that they will all have gained something from that meeting and we will be going there hoping for a similar outcome as we look for some league points on the road." 

Poole, who won that cup visit 49-41, have been beset with red-tape issues in bringing proposed debutant Ondřej Smetana into the UK and so will operate rider replacement in his absence . "I know Ondřej is as frustrated as we are with all the issues that have been encountered in trying to get him into the UK because of the ongoing travel restrictions, as he has been looking forward to joining us. We are doing all we can from both ends to try and resolve it but sadly it won't be in time for  tomorrow night. That increases the stakes on the lower end of the team to be on their game and we know that on the other side Zane Keleher will be relishing his chance to come up against us but as far as we are concerned, all that does is add an extra bit of a tension to the meeting." 

Keleher will be one of three ex-Pirates lining up for the Gladiators as Jason Crump is set to make his first  home appearance having been ruled out with an injury sustained whilst riding for his Premiership club Ipswich at the beginning of June. The third is Bjarne Pedersen, who after being beaten by Danny King then Steve Worrall in his first two rides went on to be unbeaten across his final three rides in that cup tie. 

Ford commented, "I am sure that the Plymouth fans will be really looking forward to seeing 'Crumpy' finally make his home debut for them and am confident that many of the Poole travelling fans will share that experience with a similar level of enthusiasm." 

Since the two sides last met (June 22nd) Plymouth, who currently sit at the bottom of the league table,  have yet to race again, having had visits to Newcastle and Glasgow washed out, whilst Poole have ridden just the once, beating Kent at Wimborne Road by a commanding 26 points, and find themselves 17 points shy of leaders Glasgow but have ridden six fewer meetings.

Teams: 
Plymouth Gladiators: Jason Crump; Zane Keleher; Zach Cook; Dillion Ruml; Bjarne Pedersen️; Alfie Bowtell; Luke Ruddick - Team Manager: Garry May 
Poole Pirates: Rory Schlein; Rider Replacement; Steve Worrall; Stefan Nielsen ; Danny King; Ben Cook; Danyon Hume - Team Manager: Neil Middleditch