BRITISH SPEEDWAY OCTOBER 23,24 2024

(SPEEDWAY 1)

 PIRATES CHASE TREBLE

POOLE are on the verge of securing British Speedway’s first Treble in six years as they go into tonight’s (Wednesday) season finale at home to Oxford.
The Pirates already have a massive 24-point lead from the first leg of the Cab Direct KO Cup Final, and aggregate victory will make them the first club to complete a clean sweep of three full team trophies since Workington in 2018.

And whilst the home side are at full strength and unchanged from their 57-33 win at Cowley last week, the visitors are remarkably down to just two of their regular riders.

Long-term absentees Adam Roynon and Jordan Jenkins have been joined by Luke Killeen, who is not fit to return after concussion, and skipper Scott Nicholls who crashed out of the first leg suffering shoulder damage, whilst Cameron Heeps is also absent with his partner due to give birth.

It means there are no fewer than five guests for the Cheetahs, with Jason Edwards and Simon Lambert joining their more regular stand-ins Dan Gilkes and Connor Coles, and Ben Trigger also comes in at reserve.

Poole boss Neil Middleditch said: “It is dangerous in speedway to take anything for granted, but for sure we are in a very strong position and you would have to say it is ours to lose.

“I know the lads will be keen to get it mathematically over the line and will treat this as any other meeting, with total professionalism and 100 per cent effort, but I can see it becoming a great night of celebration.”

Oxford manager Peter Schroeck said: “We know there is a huge task ahead; however, we will go to Poole, put on a show and finish the season as best we can.”

(SPEEDWAY 1)

PIRATES’ TERRIFIC TREBLE

POOLE wrapped up their trophy Treble by clinching the Cab Direct KO Cup with a 57-33 win over Oxford at Wimborne Road – matching the result from their first leg victory against the Cheetahs.

The Pirates added a third major item of team silverware this season to go alongside their league and BSN Series victories, emulating their top-flight side of 2003 who completed a clean sweep in the Elite League, KO Cup and British League Cup.
With such an advantage from last week’s clash at Cowley, the hosts secured the Cup as early as Heat 8 when youngsters Sam Hagon and Vinnie Foord raced to a 5-1.

Captain Ben Cook led the Poole scoring with 13 points and Richard Lawson picked up 12+1, whilst Sam Masters collected 11+1 for the injury-hit visitors.
Poole boss Neil Middleditch said: “It’s amazing. The team have been great and we’ve been very fortunate, we’ve had practically the same one to seven all season, so that’s been good.

“Peter (Schroeck) was up against it with having to get guests in at this time of year which is really tough, but they shouldn’t be too down about it because they’ve had a great season.
“He’s a good mate, but my job is to win and that’s what I like to do!”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

OXFORD manager Peter Schroeck was in philosophical mood after his depleted side lost out at Poole in the Cab Direct KO Cup Final.
An injury crisis along with impending fatherhood for Cameron Heeps left the Cheetahs down to just two of their regular riders for the second leg at Wimborne Road, with the tie having effectively been settled in a heavy home defeat last week.

But they did manage four race wins in Dorset and can reflect on a strong campaign in which they made two major Finals and also finished second in the regular league standings.
Schroeck said: “As everybody knows we were on the back foot before we got here to give them a challenge – but the boys we got in gave it their all.

“It’s always tough and Poole are riding on a high, it’s their third trophy now this year so fair play to Middlo (Neil Middleditch) and his boys.
“We’re just going to regroup, start again next year and give these boys another push, and see if we can push them over the edge next time!”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

BEN Cook has confirmed he will exit Poole this winter having led the club to a Treble of major honours.
The Pirates skipper says he won’t be racing at Cab Direct Championship level next season as he looks to further his career with additional opportunities abroad.

He joined the Wimborne Road side in 2021 and has been involved in a remarkable run which has seen them win eight out of ten major team trophies available over that period.
Cook said: “I have these opportunities that perhaps I never really dreamed of, and I feel now is the time to go for them.
“It has not been an easy decision for me, for this is where it all began really for me, and I love this place and think I always will.
“It was a great honour to be made captain this year and we accomplished all our goals with this fabulous Treble and great team.”