PIRATES READY FOR GLADIATORS

POOLE co-promoter Danny Ford says he still expects a tough challenge from Plymouth in next week’s Championship play-off quarter-finals.

The Pirates have confirmed they head to the Coliseum for the first leg on Tuesday before Wednesday’s return fixture in Dorset to take on what is currently an injury-hit Gladiators side.

But Plymouth did beat Poole 53-37 in Devon during the regular league stage, as well as collecting a 45-45 draw from a dramatic encounter at Wimborne Road.

Ford said: “I guess they will be claiming that we haven’t beaten them in the league this year, so now is the time to put that right.

“We have absolutely no desire to hand over our league title without a fight and I believe that we can go all the way if we apply ourselves like we have been doing in recent weeks. 

“It is clear that Plymouth have more than their fair share of injuries, but there have been plenty of times in the past when we have been described as the ‘patched-up Pirates’. It is all part and parcel of speedway.

“They have been putting together some decent results without their regular one to seven and we know that Garry (May) will be working hard with the promotion to find the best possible guests, as he has had to for much of the season.”