PREVIEW: POOLE v SCUNTHORPE (MAXICAB KO CUP)

POOLE begin their defence of the MAXiCab Knockout Cup when they face Scunthorpe at Wimborne Road tonight (Wednesday) – and there is recent history between the clubs in the competition.

The Pirates have won the Cup every year but one since they moved into Championship racing in 2021, the exception coming in 2023 when the Scorpions produced a brilliant performance in the Final to take the silverware.

This season they meet in a first-round tie with the winners scheduled to face Oxford in the quarter-finals.

Poole promoter Dan Ford said: “It still hurts not having achieved the clean sweep since we stepped down to tier two. Scunthorpe are always tough opponents and beat us in that Final, but we got the better of them in the semi-final two years ago and that’s what we’ll be aiming for again.

“We’ve had two solid meetings against Plymouth and good performances across the team. If we can maintain that form, we’ll be in a strong position.

“Scunthorpe have real strength, with Josh Pickering leading and experienced riders like Simon Lambert and Michael Palm Toft, alongside talented youngsters. They will score well, particularly at home, so we’ll need to be at our best.”

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

SCUNTHORPE: Josh Pickering, Nathan Ablitt, Luke Harrison, Connor Mountain, Michael Palm Toft, Simon Lambert, Ryan Ingram.

SCB Referee: Simon Humphrey-Kennett

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