PREVIEW: LEAGUE'S TOP TWO MEET TWICE THIS WEEK

Poole 'Wessex Marine Pirates' go into their August schedule brimming with confidence as they prepare for two crucial fixtures against Scunthorpe. They host the Scorpions on Wednesday night (14th, 7.30pm) before the two clubs regroup at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday.

As the top sides in the SGB Cab Direct Championship the bragging rights from these two fixtures could well determine who will finish top ahead of the all-defining title deciding play-offs, a target that the Pirates are determined to achieve.

Poole promoter Dan Ford said "we are aiming to hold on to our place at the top of the table which we have worked so hard to get to and there is a favourable air of determination within the side to go one better than last year and not buckle in the final weeks of the season. Looking at our next two meetings it is unquestionably a case of being in for a stern test. Some will look back at our recent hosting of Scunthorpe in the KO Cup where we overcame them quite easy, but whilst that was a most satisfying result, we must not dwell too much on that as it is fifteen fresh heats on Wednesday. However, what has pleased me is the manner in which we seem to change gear mid-meeting. That is vital as it fires all our boys up and at the same time tends to sap all the confidence out of our opponents. All we need to do now is keep that form going as we head into the latter stages of this campaign."

Since the Scorpions suffered a thirty one point defeat at Wimborne Road in the KO Cup semi final first leg they have bounced back strongly recording some big league home victories over Workington and Plymouth, and narrowly lost by three at Plymouth over the weekend, results that have netted them six points as they keep the pressure on the Pirates who are currently on a run of seven straight victories and technically unbeaten in thirteen.

The new set of Green Sheets come into effect for this meeting as far as the Pirates are concerned, and with just 0.14 of a point seperating Sam Hagon and Tobias Thomsen, the former steps up into the team with Thomsen taking the reserve berth. Vinnie Foord has now established an official average having doubled his 'assessed' figure to a four point Green Sheet average.

Teams: Poole (Team Manager Neil Middleditch) 1 Richard Lawson 2 Sam Hagon 3 Ben Cook (Capt) 4 Zach Cook 5 Tom Brennan 6 Tobias Thomsen 7 Ben Trigger (Guest)
Scunthorpe (Team Manager Rob Godfrey) 1 Michael Palm-Toft 2 Simon Lambert (Capt) 3 Jake Allen 4 Connor Mountain 5 Kyle Howarth 6 Nathan Ablitt 7 Luke Harrison