PREVIEW: EDINBURGH v POOLE (CAB DIRECT KO CUP)

EDINBURGH bid to pull back a nine-point deficit when they host Poole in the second leg of their Cab Direct KO Cup tie at Armadale tonight (Friday).

The Monarchs performed strongly in Dorset last week to limit the Pirates to a 49-40 victory, and they will now look to turn the tables in their favour on home territory.

The hosts are unchanged from their impressive win over Berwick last Friday, with the visitors also at full strength as they seek a semi-final place.

Edinburgh star Justin Sedgmen said: “I think looking at the Poole side and the Berwick side on paper they are pretty similar – they have good heat leaders and reserves, so I think the key matchup might be in the middle.

“If Kye (Thomson) and Paco (Castagna) do like they did last week and can outscore Zach Cook and Tom Brennan then we have a real good chance of getting through.”

Pirates promoter Dan Ford said: “We stated at the time that we were looking for a decent lead to take with us into the second leg but Edinburgh did well to keep us in check and that means the tables are turned on Friday and we just have to stop them eating into that lead.

“I certainly believe it is do-able but there is no doubt we have to be on our A-game, and the same is true over the course of our forthcoming three matches.”

EDINBURGH: Josh Pickering, Lasse Fredriksen, Kye Thomson, Paco Castagna, Justin Sedgmen, Max James, Connor Coles.
POOLE: Richard Lawson, Tobias Thomsen, Tom Brennan, Zach Cook, Ben Cook, Sam Hagon, Max Perry.
SCB Referee: Graeme Hunter

*LIVE STREAMING: https://www.edinburghmonarchs.co.uk/emtv