PIRATES READY FOR BATTLE WITH BOMBER AND HIS BRUMMIES

They say the league table never lies but when a team has as many meetings in hand as Sunday afternoon's visitors, Birmingham, do then that statement can be challenged. 

They may currently be harbouring outside of the prestigious top six places, that gain entry into the title deciding play-offs, but they have a team more than capable of converting those unridden matches into vital league points.

That side includes one of the most popular riders of recent seasons to have appeared at Wimborne Road, Chris 'Bomber' Harris. The canny Cornishman makes a habit of writing the headlines. From the night in 2010 when he broke Poole fans hearts by leading his then Coventry side to a league title, that after Poole had finished the regular campaign 26 points clear of them. To his unbelievable heat 15 exploits to pass Jason Doyle in the semi-final play-offs to send Poole into the final and on to the eighth 20th century league title, and many breathtaking moments in between.

Revered by fans of all ages simply because he never knows when to stop racing, Bomber is a star attraction in himself, but with the likes of Erik Riss, who has hit a purple patch of form now that the Brummies season has begun to get up and going, James Shanes, who is straight out of the Harris mould, and the strength of 'Paco' Castagna at reserve, England's second city team has a solid infrastructure about them, and a wealth of exciting talent.

That said, the Pirates are far from lacking in that department. The recent acquisition of the fast and frantic Benjamin Basso, plus the diminutive dynamo of Ben Cook and determinations of Danyon Hume and Stefan Nielsen provide excellent back up to a top three trio that Matt Ford believes to be one of the best heat-leader combinations he has had at the club.

Matt's son Dan is relishing the arrival of both of Poole's next two visiting teams to Wimborne Road, as Glasgow follow next Friday, but his focus is very much on trying to make Sunday a Bank Holiday weekend meeting to be proud of.

"To have Birmingham here for a late afternoon start is a dream come true to be honest. Having the chance for families to come along and see, amongst others, Bomber race around Wimborne Road is perfect and it looks as though we could be in for a good day weather wise. We are extremely hard trying to ensure that the track is in tip-top condition, for we know that, with the talent we have on show this has all the ingredients of a cracking meeting."

The Pirates go into Sunday's meeting boasting a proud 100% record in 2021 and a string of ten straight Wimborne Road appearances unbeaten that dates back to 12th September 2019.

Teams:
Poole - Rory Schlein; Benjamin Basso; Steve Worrall; Stefan Nielsen; Danny King; Ben Cook; Danyon Hume Team Manager Neil Middleditch
Birmingham - Erik Riss; Valentin Grobauer; James Shanes; Ashley Morris; Chris Harris; Michael 'Paco' Castagna; Jack Thomas Team Manager Lawrence Rogers