LEICESTER head to Poole on Wednesday for another attempt to run the first leg of the Championship Grand Final.
Both home and away meetings were postponed last weekend due to heavy rain, but thankfully the forecast this week is much improved.
The Pirates therefore stage the first leg on Wednesday, with the return fixture taking place at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena on Saturday at 6pm.
That meeting also features the second leg of the National League Grand Final between the Lion Cubs and Mildenhall, with no increase on admission or programme prices.
First up, though, is a big test in Dorset as the Watling JCB Lions seek to keep themselves in league title contention against a powerful Pirates side.
Poole boss Neil Middleditch has already stated his wish to have track conditions to his team’s liking, with both clubs’ curators having to work overtime in recent days following the recent deluge.
The Lions are without skipper Kyle Howarth, who is now serving a mandatory suspension due to illness, and former title-winning captain Scott Nicholls stands in as guest.
Boss Stewart Dickson retains the riding order which he had originally declared for last Friday’s postponed meeting, so Nicholls slots in at No.4 alongside Richie Worrall, and Dan Thompson assumes the No.5 position. Meanwhile Nick Morris assumes the captaincy in Howarth’s absence.
Morris said: “We had a good meeting at Poole at the start of the year where we beat them – unfortunately we didn’t in the last one (KO Cup), but hopefully we can come away with a win.
“We finished top in the league this season so we’ve been the best team overall, and we’ve got to be on our game.
“If we all do what we can do, there’s no reason why we can’t come away and win the whole show.
“We can’t be throwing away any points. Both teams have got to be on their game, and it’s going to be a good one.”
POOLE: Danny King, Ben Cook, Steve Worrall, Drew Kemp, Richard Lawson, Zach Cook, Nathan Ablitt.
LEICESTER: Nick Morris, Connor Mountain, Richie Worrall, Scott Nicholls, Dan Thompson, Max Clegg, Joe Thompson.
