CHAMPIONSHIP OPENS WITH TOUGH BACK-TO-BACK FOR PIRATES

Two sides that finished top of their respective BSN Series groups to proceed automatically to the knockout stages of that competition, go head-to-head on Wednesday (6th May 7.30pm) when the 2026 Cab Direct Championship is launched.
 

Redcar, like Poole, lost just once in their BSN group this season, and they return to Dorset for the first time since denying the Pirates the treble in 2025. A draw on October 24th gave the Bears an aggregate victory in last season's BSN Final and the Pirates will be determined to send them packing pointless on this league visit.

Looking towards Wednesday night, and the return fixture on Teesside on Friday, Poole promoter Dan Ford claims,

"Coming up against Redcar in back-to-back fixtures is a real tough start to our league defence and I believe that we will be in for an exciting meeting on Wednesday. They were forced into an early season change at number one when Charles Wright sustained an injury, but they have covered him well with the signing of former Pirate Nicolai Klindt

I think a key area on the night could well be the battle at reserve. You’ve got four of the brightest young British rising stars going head-to-head, and of all the reserve pairings in the league, Pijper and Scott will provide a really big challenge for Will and Cooper. It’s one I’m really looking forward to watching unfold."

Redcar arrive on the back of an impressive away win at Workington last Saturday in which their reserve pairing of Ace Pijper and Jody Scott accumulated paid 20 between them. Both those Bears have three years a-piece over their Pirate counterparts, William Cairns and Cooper Rushen and there should be plenty of competition amongst the four of them.

The Pirates have made a slight positional change, with Fraser Bowes stepping into the number two position and Kyle Newman taking on the number four berth, so often the engine room of the Pirates success over recent seasons.

 Teams:
Poole (TM Neil Middleditch) 1 Richard Lawson 2 Fraser Bowes 3 Lewis Kerr 4 Kyle Newman 5 Zach Cook (Captain) 6 William Cairns 7 Cooper Rushen
Redcar (TM Gavin Parr) 1 Nicolai Klindt 2 Jake Mulford 3 Jordan Jenkins 4 Jake Allen 5 Jason Edwards (Captain) 6 Ace Pijper 7 Jody Scott

• Joining Poole and Redcar in the semi-finals for the BSN Series will be Scottish group winners Edinburgh along with Berwick as the best runners-up from the three groups. Details of the semi-final draw will be made in due course, but with Edinburgh and Berwick not able to be a semi-final fixture Poole will be guaranteed a match-up against one of the two Scottish group sides.

Photo Credit: Tony Hartmann