PIRATES will hope to secure the 2024 treble this week as they go in the KO Cup final against Oxford, the week after their sensational comeback in the Cab Direct Championship final.

Anticipation is growing in Poole ahead of the SGB Cab Direct Knockout Cup final, with the first leg to be held at Wimborne Road tonight, Wednesday, October 16.

UPDATE: KO Cup final first leg in Poole postponed due to poor weather

There will be a short turnaround to the second leg, which will be held at Oxford on Thursday.

This comes hot on the heels of Poole’s fantastic Championship victory – as they came back from a 12-point first leg deficit to beat the Cheetahs.

The Championship title, the 11th league title under Matt Ford’s stewardship, was added to the BSN Series trophy which Pirates claimed earlier this month.

Pirates will hope to round off the season with the treble in this week’s final.

Poole promoter Danny Ford said: “Last Wednesday was an unbelievable night and will live with us all for a very long time.

(Image: Richard Crease) “The atmosphere generated was off the scale and as the riders all admitted the enthusiasm, support and wall of sound from our passionate supporters certainly fired us on to that incredible victory.

“It was no coincidence that Toby (Tobias Thomsen) achieved his best score of the season as he clearly thrives on the atmosphere and whilst the dynamics will be a bit different on Wednesday as it will only be the halfway stage in the tie, I would certainly welcome our fans getting right behind the lads again as we go in search of the treble.

“There can be no doubt that Oxford will want to make amends and come out with some silverware themselves this season, but if you don't know it by now, let me just say that we are hungry for all competitions and to make it a treble this season would just be awesome.”

Poole will be unchanged from the Championship final, with their preferred one-to-seven set to line up this week.

(Image: Richard Crease) Oxford, however, will see two changes to their lineup, both at reserve, as Luke Killeen and Jody Scott are unavailable.

Killeen has been withdrawn after last week’s second leg with a mandatory concussion stand down, while Scott, who has been a regular replacement for injured Adam Roynon, also feeling the effects of his heat eight crash last week.

Redcar’s Ben Trigger will cover for Roynon for the first leg, while Jack Smith comes in for Killeen for both legs.

The cup will be concluded on Thursday at Sandy Lane.

Poole (TM Neil Middleditch): 1: Richard Lawson; 2: Sam Hagon; 3: Ben Cook (Capt); 4: Zach Cook; 5: Tom Brennan; 6: Tobias Thomsen; 7: Vinnie Foord.

Oxford (TM Peter Schroeck): 1: Sam Masters; 2: Ashton Boughen; 3: Cameron Heeps; 4: Dan Gilkes; (Guest); 5: Scott Nicholls (Capt); 6: Jack Smith (Guest); 7: Ben Trigger (Guest).