PIRATES FACE HUGE CHEETAHS CLASH

POOLE co-promoter Dan Ford is relishing the prospect of a BSN Series Southern showdown with Oxford at Wimborne Road next week.

The Cheetahs defeated Plymouth last night to go top of the group, thanks also to their win at the Coliseum, and that sets up a crucial group decider on Wednesday.

Ford said: “This is one trophy that we have owned since its inception and there is absolutely no desire for us to give it up now, but we first have to gird our battle loins and go head-to-head with Oxford again for the right to progress.

“It promises to be a very special night on May 7. Obviously this fixture was supposed to have been our opener on Good Friday, and we were expecting a bumper crowd on that occasion.

“But the weather intervened and now we find ourselves with a mini-final on our hands against, arguably, our fiercest rivals. There is everything to ride for, not least pride on both sides.”