PREVIEW: POOLE v BERWICK (MAXICAB KO CUP S/F)

POOLE and Berwick get their MAXiCab KO Cup semi-final underway tonight (Wednesday) with the first leg at Wimborne Road.

The holders kick off at home where they will be looking to build an advantage to take to Shielfield Park for the return on Saturday.

But they will have to do so without No.1 Richard Lawson who was already committed to racing in Denmark before the semi-final was arranged, and the Pirates bring in Chris Harris to guest.

The Bandits have reached their first KO Cup semi-final since 2005, having last lifted the silverware back in 1989 when their opponents in the Final were Poole.

They are also without their No.1 as Peter Kildemand is racing in Denmark, and Leon Flint comes in as their guest.

Pirates promoter Dan Ford said: “There aren’t many riders capable of stepping in and doing the sort of job Rich does for us, but thankfully we’ve managed to secure one of the few who can. Chris comes into the side and, with the options available to us, we felt he was the standout choice.

“Chris has already shown what he can do around Wimborne Road this season, scoring 15 points here for Glasgow, and with the Tigers not currently scheduled to return to Poole, it made perfect sense to bring him in.

“He’s a proven performer, a big-race rider and someone who can make a real impact for us against what we know will be a very determined Berwick side.”

Bandits boss Stewart Dickson said: “In the past I’ve seen a lot of sides beaten even before they get to Poole. That will not be my team.

“We respect Poole and don’t underestimate the challenge ahead of us, but it neither frightens nor daunts us. If you want to reach Finals or go on to win competitions it is inevitable you have to tackle the Pirates at some point.

“I‘m not setting any targets, we have to play the cards we are dealt on the night and then prepare for the second leg on Saturday.”

POOLE: Chris Harris, Fraser Bowes, Lewis Kerr, Cooper Rushen, Zach Cook, Will Cairns, Kyle Newman.

BERWICK: Leon Flint, Jye Etheridge, Victor Palovaara, Lasse Fredriksen, Nick Morris, Jack Smith, Jordan Jenkins.

SCB Referee: Paul Carrington

Live Streaming: https://livestream.poole-speedway.com/

Live Updates: https://britishspeedway.co.uk/live/