PREVIEW: SCUNTHORPE v POOLE (CAB DIRECT CHAMP GRAND FINAL)

SCUNTHORPE and Poole clash in the first leg of the Cab Direct Championship Grand Final tonight (Friday) with the Scorpions keen to apply the pressure at the Eddie Wright Raceway.

The home side have reached this stage for the first time since way back in 2012 when they won a dramatic decider against Somerset which went right down to the wire.

By contrast the Pirates are chasing a fifth Championship title in six years and will look to set things up for Wednesday’s second leg at Wimborne Road.

Both sides are at full strength but there is a positional switch for the visitors as October averages mean Zach Cook takes over as No.1 for Poole, with Richard Lawson moving to No.5.

Scorpions promoter Rob Godfrey said: “Poole will start as favourites, but that doesn’t bother us at all. We’ve been underdogs all season but we’re in the Grand Final. It’s all about which team can reach 91 points across the two legs.

“We want a strong first leg at home. That was so important in the semi-final against Glasgow and could be again.

“This is such a big occasion for the entire town of Scunthorpe. We don’t necessarily have the chance to celebrate a lot of sporting success around here. We want the whole town to come along to the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday and give our boys their support.”

Pirates co-promoter Dan Ford said: “In both Zach and Richard we have two of the league’s best riders. Both are in the top eight  and just 0.18 of a point separates them.

“Their position in the team is largely irrelevant, they both have the passion and desire to bring the title home for a third successive season.”

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

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

SCB Referee: Michael Breckon

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