IT’S all on the line at Wimborne Road tonight as arch rivals Poole and Oxford go head-to-head in a winner takes all BSN Series clash.
Whichever side claims victory will top the southern section and qualify for the semi-finals leaving the loser to sweat it out waiting to see if they claim the “best second” spot.
Oxford moved to the top of the group with a hard fought home victory over Plymouth, but a win by any margin for the Pirates will secure them the automatic qualifying berth and set them on the road to another title having won both previous BSN Series.
The sides drew when they met at Oxford, Poole taking the extra point following a tense SuperHeat, Zach Cook and Richard Lawson forcing the run-off with a last heat 5-1.
Oxford’s victory over the Gladiators came at a cost with Cameron Heeps suffering a shoulder injury which forces him to miss tonight’s showdown.
The Cheetahs operate rider-replacement at number two – all their riders are eligible to take a race – with Jordan Jenkins switching the number five berth.
Poole are at full strength for a clash which produced stunning and tense speedway when the sides met in last year’s Grand Final and Knockout Cup finals.
Poole promoter Dan Ford said: “There is no doubt that they are a strong team and there is hardly a heat that you look at that will not be tough.
“Every point needs to be raced. It is going to be one of those where the encouragement from the supporters could be the telling factor.
Oxford team manager Peter Schroeck said: “We’ve given ourselves a chance to progress in the BSN Series and now we have to take it.”
Poole: Richard Lawson, Tobias Thomsen, Anders Rowe, Zach Cook, Lewis Kerr, Paul Starke, Matt Marson.
Oxford: Sam Masters, Cameron Heeps R/R, Jonas Knudsen, Dan Gilkes, Jordan Jenkins, Mitch McDiarmid, Luke Killeen.
Words by George Dodds.
Images by Taylor Lanning.