LAWSON OUT OF SEMI SHOWDOWN

POOLE have been hit by a blow with No.1 Richard Lawson ruled out of their crucial Cab Direct Championship play-off semi-final second leg clash at Redcar on Sunday.

The Pirates hold a narrow six-point advantage going into the meeting but they will race at the ECCO Arena without Lawson who misses the trip on compassionate grounds.

Former Poole rider Adam Ellis, of Premiership Grand Finalists Ipswich, has been booked to make a rare second-tier appearance as a guest.

Promoter Dan Ford told the club’s website: “Richard is our talisman; one of, if not the best riders in the league, and of course he’s a huge miss, especially on a night like this.

“But Adam understands the importance of the occasion and he is absolutely up for the task.”