PIRATES ON BONUS HUNT AGAINST BANDITS

The Poole 'Wessex Marine' Pirates have their sights on a performance on Wednesday night strong enough to  yield three SGB Cab Direct Championship points, when they host the Berwick Bandits. 

The Pirates suffered a narrow defeat in the Borders in the middle of May, losing by just two race points, so that makes their minimum target 47 in this return fixture. 

Berwick were well served by former Pirate Sam Hagon in that meeting,  the two-time British U21 Champion scoring a season best paid 11 (9+2) and the Poole camp will be determined to prevent a similar score from the youngster. 

Promoter Dan Ford is calling for another solid team performance,  to match the one they delivered on their last appearance at Wimborne Road. "I think we saw the importance of getting off to a strong start last week. We were up against a returning Pirate, in Danny King who showed his liking for the place. This time around it is young Sam who will be out to prove a point. We have made a decent start as far as league points are concerned and with the aggregate bonus truly attainable then it will further strengthen our position."

Besides Hagon, they have other familiar faces, in the guise of both Danyon Hume and Drew Kemp, both of whom have proudly worn the skull and crossbones, but a fourth former Pirate,  Peter Kildemand, who had a short-term career as a Pirate in 2018 misses, what would have been his first appearance at Wimborne Road since May that year,  due to a Danish league engagement. Former Bandit Leon Flint steps in for him. 

Craig Cook, Jack Smith and Dayle Wood complete the Bandits septet that races under the watchful eye of canny team manager Stewart Dickson. 

The main hope for the Pirates is that Anders Rowe will be fit enough to take his place,  after suffering a groin injury last time out. He is aiming to return to racing for the meeting on Wednesday.

Teams

Poole (TM Neil Middleditch) Richard Lawson,  Tobias Thomsen,  Anders Rowe,  Zach Cook (Capt), Lewi Kerr, Paul Starke, Darryl Ritchings 

Berwick (TM Stewart Dickson) Craig Cook, Sam Hagon,  Danyon Hume (Capt), Drew Kemp,  Leon Flint (Guest), Dayle Wood, Jack Smith 

Photo credit Tony Hartmann