INJURED Buccaneer Mark Baseby will leave it as late as possible before deciding if he will go against doctors’ advice and ride at Plymouth tomorrow.

Bournemouth Castle Cover’s rider was forced to pull out midway through their 62-34 home triumph over Devils in the National League title play-off final, first leg, last night.

Baseby fell heavily after colliding with Plymouth guest Craig Cook and sustained damage to his right foot and left knee.

Cook also withdrew – like Baseby after taking only two rides – when he sustained suspected broken ribs in the first bend heat-five pile-up.

But Jerran Hart (18) and Aaron Baseby (11+6) dug deep to inspire depleted Buccaneers to an unlikely 28-point advantage ahead of the second leg in Devon as the Dorset side chase a league and cup double in their debut season.

Speaking to the Echo late last night, Mark Baseby said: “I went to Poole Hospital but they said I hadn’t broken any bones in my foot, which I originally thought I had.

“Something went straight through my boot, but I don’t know what, and I’m in agony because I’ve hurt my left knee as well.

“In fact, I think I would have broken my knee if I hadn’t had my knee brace on.

“The doctors said ‘don’t ride a bike for while’ but I’ll see how it is on Friday and see what I can do.

“I sat on the bike last night after the crash, but I couldn’t hold myself on it. I wasn’t strong enough in my foot or ankle.

“I’ve got to go to work tomorrow (Thursday) as an electrician. It’s a lot of going up step ladders and things, which is not the best thing for my foot and knee, but we’ll see.

“We’ll leave the decision until as late as possible, but if I’m not fit, I’ve got complete faith in our number eight John Resch to come in and get at least six points.

“John’s a great starter and if he gets out in front at Plymouth he can do the job for us.”

Looking back on his crash with Cook, which resulted in Plymouth’s guest being excluded by referee Mike Posselwhite, Mark Baseby said: “I don’t really remember what happened because it all went so quickly.

“I know it was a hard first corner, I was on the outside and someone said he (Cook) went straight into the back of me, although I don’t know if that was really the case, so I’m not complaining about it.

“I think I was over the top of him, in front of him going into the turn, but to be honest, you just have to go with what the ref says, you just have to get on with it.”

Plymouth chairman Mike Bowden said: “Bournemouth were the better team on the night but unfortunately we had Craig sidelined by a very hard challenge from Mark Baseby.

“Craig was excluded and I don’t know if that was the right decision, but Friday is a new day and we’ll see what we can do on our own track.

“I thought the ref was at fault with a couple of decisions, when Danny Warwick crashed on his own with no-one around him and he put all four back, and when Craig went down with suspected broken ribs.

“After a brilliant win in heat one, he was really ridden into the fence by Baseby.

“We had a possible 15 points wiped out in an instance, although I think all four back in that race would have been the correct decision because it was a first bend accident.”

Assessing Bournemouth’s overall display following his withdrawal, Mark Baseby said: “Aaron was awesome and overall it was a great team performance.

“Everyone scored paid 10 or more which just proves how strong a team we are at home, and hopefully we can go away and complete the job.

“We were a bit complacent when we went to Weymouth in the semi-final second leg.

“No-one got their finger out, although we managed to scramble through in the end.

“Plymouth are a strong side on their home track, but we’re a strong team as well, so we’ve got the ability to win overall.”