Preview: Poole Pirates Launch KO Cup Defence Against Scunthorpe

Poole Pirates turn their focus to KO Cup action on Wednesday 8 April as they begin the defence of a trophy they have won in all but one season since moving into Championship racing.

The Pirates, currently top of the BSN Series Southern Group and on course for qualification to the knockout stages, face familiar opponents in Scunthorpe—the side that denied them a clean sweep of the competition with a final victory in 2023.

Poole boss Dan Ford is targeting a strong response.

“It still hurts not having achieved the clean sweep since we stepped down to tier two. Scunthorpe are always tough opponents and beat us in that final, but we got the better of them in the semi-final two years ago and that’s what we’ll be aiming for again.

We’ve had two solid meetings against Plymouth and good performances across the team. If we can maintain that form, we’ll be in a strong position.

Scunthorpe have real strength, with Josh Pickering leading and experienced riders like Simon Lambert and Michael Palm-Toft, alongside talented youngsters. They will score well, particularly at home, so we’ll need to be at our best.”

Scunthorpe have also made a limited start to the season, recording a ten-point home win and a sixteen-point away defeat against Redcar in BSN Series Northern Group action.

The second leg of the tie will take place on Friday 10 April.

Teams:

Poole Pirates (TM: Neil Middleditch) Richard Lawson, Kyle Newman, Lewis Kerr, Fraser Bowes, Zach Cook (C), William Cairns, Cooper Rushen
Scunthorpe Scorpions (TM: Rob Godfrey) Josh Pickering (C), Nathan Ablitt, Luke Harrison, Connor Mountain, Michael Palm-Toft, Simon Lambert, Ryan Ingram