PIRATES EYEING UP THE CUP

Poole speedway's mini break from racing, with no home meeting this week, is just a little too short for number one Rory Schlein as he will again be absent when the Pirates take to track on Saturday night at Leicester.

Although there are several permutations for the final pre-play-off standings still to resolve as far as the league title race is concerned, attentions switch on Saturday to the second competition, the Knockout Cup.

Awarded a walk-over following the withdrawal from racing by the Eastbourne Eagles recently, the Pirates head for the semi-final tie against the Leicester Lions for the first leg at Beaumont Park on Saturday, fielding two guests, former British Champion Charles Wright deputising for Schlein who is still under Covid-19 isolation rules, and American Dillon Ruml once again covering for the injured Stefan Nielsen.

Promoter Dan Ford said, "Saturday is another big meeting for us. I am reminded that the last time Poole competed in the equivalent of the SGB Championship we were double winners, and it would be fantastic if we could make our return to it as equally as successful. But this is going to be a difficult semi-final encounter. Leicester are a good side and as we are the only team to have won there this year, I can't help thinking that Stewart Dickson will be firing his lads up more than ever. Of course, being an aggregate competition, nothing will be decided on Saturday, we just have to go there and do our best to make sure that when they come to us on the 29th we are in a good position."

Leicester have declared a full one-to-seven with Nick Morris heading the Lions averages and their side has strength throughout with four riders boasting averages of 7.66 or greater Of the three riders below that level, two of them, the Thompson twins, have plenty of experience at the Leicester track whilst mid-July recruit Zaine Kennedy has been hitting a near 5.5 average since taking on one of the reserve berths.

LEICESTER - Nick Morris, Dan Thompson, Ryan Douglas , Kyle Howarth, Hans Andersen, Joe Thompson, Zaine Kennedy - Team manager Stewart Dickson 

POOLE - Charles Wright (Guest), Ben Basso, Steve Worrall, Ben Cook, Danny King, Dillon Ruml (Guest), Danyon Hume - Team manager Neil Middleditch