PIRATES DOWN TO SIX AHEAD OF GRAND FINAL FIRST LEG

The Poole 'Wessex Marine' Pirates have been dealt a huge blow on the eve of their Grand Final visit to Glasgow on Sunday with the news that Anders Rowe will be absent from the side.
 

Rowe is still suffering the effects of the crash he sustained at Scunthorpe on 22nd September and whilst his mandatory concussion stand-down period has been completed, the youngster is still not feeling one hundred per cent and has been ruled out for the first leg of the Grand Final.

Promoter Dan Ford said "It is not a good position to be in, going into the Final a man down. We had hoped to have been welcoming Anders back into the fold after he missed the two meetings against Edinburgh but sadly that will not be the case. He has contacted me and advised that he is still suffering with signs of concussion that he sustained in that very heavy fall at Scunthorpe and there is no way you can take chances in these circumstances. We remain hopeful that after a prolonged rest period he will be back to full health for Wednesday night, and our thoughts are with him for a safe and speedy recovery."

Meanwhile the Poole boss also confirmed the dates for the Pirates' Knockout Cup final after Scunthorpe cemented their place in the final with a win on Friday night at Redcar. The Scorpions will stage the first leg this coming Friday (13th October) with the return and concluding leg at Wimborne Road on Wednesday 18th October. Ford added "we have four crucial fixtures to ride now and two trophies on the line. We have the second leg in both competitions and it will be a perfect end to the season if we can retain those trophies in our cabinet".

Photo Credit: Tony Hartmann