PREVIEWING PIRATES V ACES

Both the Volvo Cars Poole Pirates and visitors the Belle Vue Aces will be hoping to get their SGB Premiership seasons under way when the Manchester club visits Dorset tomorrow night (7.30pm).

The 2018 Pirates are yet to take to the track during one of the worst starts to a season weather-wise in recent memory, while the Aces have seen both their Knockout Cup legs against Wolverhampton postponed alongside their Premiership opener at home to Kings Lynn.
While the home side are at full strength, with Peter Kildemand standing in for Chris Holder, the Aces will be without both Steve Worrall and Damian Drozdz through injury.

Worrall was hospitalised with a broken leg after a spill lining up for Scunthorpe in the Championship Shield clash against Redcar on Friday, while Drodz was hurt during the Aces’ Charity Shield second leg defeat at Swindon on March 22.

Former Pirate Paul Starke has signed a deal as a temporary replacement for Drodz, while Richard Lawson comes in for the stricken Worrall.

Pirates boss Matt Ford said: “I’m keeping everything crossed for fine weather so we can finally get our season under way. The anticipation of watching the 2018

Pirates race for the first time has been somewhat overtaken by frustration at so many postponements, but I’m certain this team will be worth the wait.
“That said, we will need to be mindful of Belle Vue’s strength, particularly with Paul Starke who I am sure will relish appearing at his old stomping ground in an Aces race jacket, as will Rohan Tungate.”

Pirates: B Kurtz, K Woryna, J Grajczonek, L Sundstrom, P Kildemand, M Szczepaniak, J.Shanes. Team manager: Neil Middleditch.
Aces: C Cook, R Lawson, P Starke, R Tungate, M Fricke, J Etheridge, D Bewley. Team manager: Mark Lemon