PREVIEW: REDCAR v POOLE (Cab Direct Champ)

REDCAR aim to become the first side to defeat Poole in the Cab Direct Championship this year when the sides meet at the ECCO Arena tonight (Friday).

The Pirates have a 100 per cent league record so far and also boast an excellent recent record on Teesside, including an emphatic BSN Series semi-final win earlier this season.

Bears star Erik Riss has made a successful return to the team after long-term illness, and he believes it’s a good time to face the defending champions.

Riss said: “We had a really good meeting against Berwick which has given us all a big confidence boost, so this is the best time for us to face Poole as we are in a good place after last week’s match.

“I think Poole will be our toughest match to win at home this season as they have five former Bears riders and they also have the Cook brothers who ride our track really well.

“We respect Poole as they are a good side, and we have to be on it from the start to get the right result!”

Pirates promoter Dan Ford said: “Confidence is such a big thing in speedway and I don’t feel that any of our guys are lacking in it at the moment, but that doesn’t mean we don’t need to remain focused. 

“They (Redcar) have bounced back very strongly after suffering two defeats to us in the BSN competition, managing home and away successes over Glasgow in the Cup before posting their biggest league score for something like six years.

“They have also welcomed back Erik into their side and so are unquestionably a very tough side and they will be determined to prove that. But somehow that could bring out the best in us and I think that augurs well for a great meeting.”

*LIVE STREAMING: https://watch.britishspeedway.co.uk