PREVIEW: PIRATES HEADING FOR TREBLE

Not since Edinburgh's 2014 clean sweep has a team completed a British Speedway treble, but the 2024 Pirates are homing in on achieving it and in doing so would replicate the exploits of their own 2003 predecessors as they seek to make it a night of celebrations on Wednesday night (October 23rd, 7.30pm) at Wimborne Road.

Needing just thirty four points against an injury-ravaged Oxford side, Captain Ben Cook and his crew are odds-on favourites to regain the Knockout cup, which they surrendered to Scunthorpe last term and add it to league title and BSN Series trophy of which they are already custodians of.

Team manager Neil Middleditch, in acknowledging Poole's massive first leg advantage, admits "it is dangerous in speedway to take anything for granted but for sure we are in a very strong position and you would have to say it is ours to lose. I know the lads will be keen to get it mathematically over the line and and will treat this as any other meeting, with total professionalism and 100% effort, but I can see it becoming a great night of celebration"

Even with their preferred one to seven Oxford would be looking at a stern task to overturn the 33-57 home defeat they suffered last Thursday , especially after their previous visit to Wimborne Road when they saw the Pirates claw back a twelve point deficit to win the league title. But with no fewer than four guests in this Wednesday with Scott Nicholls, the victim of a first ride crash at Sandy Lane, ruled out with a damaged shoulder and Luke Killeen who suffered concussion in the Grand Final still sidelined. The Cheetahs have been without reserve Adam Roynon for some considerable time and Jordan Jenkins saw his season come to an early end at the beginning of September.

Scunthorpe skipper Simon Lambert, star of last season's cup final steps in for Nicholls whilst Dan Gilkes continues for Jenkins , Ben Trigger replaces Killeen and Connor Coles retains the number seven jacket he wore in the Thursday's first leg.

Teams: Poole (TM Neil Middleditch) 1 Richard Lawson 2 Sam Hagon 3 Ben Cook (Capt) 4 Zach Cook 5 Tom Brennan 6 Tobias Thomsen 7 Vinnie Foord
Oxford (TM Peter Schroeck) 1 Sam Masters (Capt) 2 Simon Lambert (Guest) 3 Ashton Boughen 4 Dan Gilkes (Guest) 5 Cameron Heeps 6 Ben Trigger (Guest) 7 Connor Coles (Guest)