PROMOTER Danny Ford admits “I don’t think we will ever be able to erase the memories of that night” as Poole Pirates prepare to face Scunthorpe Scorpions in the Knockout Cup again.

Last year, Pirates lost their grip of the trophy after a narrow two-legged loss to the Scorpions.

After losing 47-43 at Eddie Wright Raceway, Scunthorpe produced a superb display to draw 45-45 at Wimborne Road, which saw them win the competition for the first time in their history.

The two now do battle again in the semi-finals of the 2024 edition, the first leg taking place in Poole tonight (7.30pm), with the aggregate winners going on to face either Redcar Bears or Oxford Cheetahs in the final.

"I don't think we will ever be able to erase the memories of that night, to be honest,” Ford said, as he reflected on the club’s last cup meeting with Scunthorpe.

“They just stubbornly refused us to get any consistency in our scores to be able to pull back the first leg deficit, which to our credit we had been able to hold to just four points.

“Meeting Scunthorpe again and with a final waiting around the corner I believe that we have all the motivation we need.

“Of course, it is not going to be easy.

“They are a solid side, but we simply have to hit them as hard as possible.”

Poole Pirates promoter Danny Ford reflected on last year's cup final loss (Image: Richard Crease)

Asked earlier this year if there is added motivation given how 2023 ended, with Pirates also losing the SGB Championship grand final against Glasgow Tigers, Ford added: “Last year was a real eye-opener.

“Obviously I was hugely disappointed. I think we were the favoured team throughout the year.

“We had obviously won the BSN Series, made every final, finished top of the league and it all just kind of collapsed for us at the end.

“We were beaten by teams who were in form and we fell out of form. It was just one of those things.

“Going into this season, it has made us even more determined to win those trophies back.

“We have been so dominant since our move down to the Championship and it’s certainly not a taste I liked at the end of last year.”

Looking ahead to Wednesday’s meeting, in-form captain Ben Cook said: “If I am honest, I don't think we have all fired one-to-seven at home yet and yet we are still putting in some good scores.

“So hopefully we will all turn up and give it our A-game and get the win."

Both sides are set to be at full strength for the fixture, Vinnie Foord passed fit having withdrawn early during Friday’s win at Redcar.

Pirates: Lawson, Thomsen, B Cook, Z Cook, Brennan, Hagon, Foord.

Scunthorpe: Palm Toft, Lambert, Allen, Mountain, Howarth, Ablitt, Harrison.