PREVIEW: OXFORD v POOLE (BSN SERIES S/F 2nd leg)

OXFORD host Poole in the second leg of their BSN Series semi-final tie at Cowley tonight (Wednesday) with the home side facing a huge points chase.

The Pirates won the first leg 58-32 last month and are strong favourites to progress to another Final as they defend the silverware.

Whilst the visitors are at full strength, the Cheetahs are without two of their regular side with rider replacement in operation for Jordan Jenkins, who is out injured for the remainder of the season.

Meanwhile Darryl Ritchings, who started the season with Poole, guests for Oxford at reserve in place of Jonas Knudsen who has a racing commitment in Denmark.

Cheetahs boss Peter Schroeck said: “I’d love for us to overturn the 26 points from the first leg, but that would require not only a great performance from Cheetahs, but also a very, very bad night for the Pirates.

“But this is speedway and anything can happen. If we get off to a good start, with our supporters right behind the boys, we can rattle Poole, then who knows, we might be able to pull off a famous result.

“On the other hand, I always try to stay realistic and the MAXiCab Knockout Cup is the best chance of silverware for the Cheetahs. The realistic aim is to win on the night and for the boys to have a morale-boosting victory over a strong Poole side who again will be in contention to win the league championship this season.”

OXFORD: Sam Masters, Luke Killeen, Jordan Jenkins R/R, Mitch McDiarmid, Francis Gusts, Darryl Ritchings, Cameron Heeps.

POOLE: Richard Lawson, Tobias Thomsen, Lewis Kerr, Zach Cook, Anders Rowe, Paul Starke, Will Cairns.

SCB Referee: Mick Bates

*LIVE STREAMING: https://livestream.oxfordspeedway.club/