PREVIEW: POOLE v REDCAR (CAB DIRECT CHAMP)

CAB Direct Championship holders Poole commence their title defence when they host Redcar at Wimborne Road tonight (Wednesday).

The two clubs were both prominent in the battle for major honours last  season, with the Pirates knocking out the Bears in the play-off semi-finals only for the Teesside outfit to gain revenge by winning the BSN Series Final.

It’s the first of two meetings between the sides this week as they also clash at the Ecco Arena on Friday.

Both teams are at full strength with Kyle Newman now a full-time member for the Pirates after his initial 28-day deal was extended, whilst Bears No.1 Nicolai Klindt was a top-flight title winner in Dorset eight years ago.

There will be plenty of interest in the battles of the respective reserves as Poole teenagers Will Cairns and Cooper Rushen come up against Bears prospects Ace Pijper and Jody Scott, with both combinations having been highly successful so far this season.

Poole promoter Danny Ford said: “Coming up against Redcar in back-to-back fixtures is a real tough start to our league defence, and I believe we will be in for an exciting meeting on Wednesday.

“They were forced into an early season change at No.1 when Charles Wright sustained an injury, but they have covered him well with the signing of former Pirate Nicolai Klindt.”

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

REDCAR: Nicolai Klindt, Jake Mulford, Jordan Jenkins, Jake Allen, Jason Edwards, Ace Pijper, Jody Scott.

SCB Referee: Chris Durno

*LIVE STREAMING: https://livestream.poole-speedway.com/