POOLE promoter Matt Ford is predicting an absorbing contest when they host fellow high-fliers Somerset tomorrow (7.30pm).

Victory would lift Pirates to the SGB Premiership summit, while third-placed Rebels arrive at Wimborne Road level on points with Poole but with two matches in hand.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “They soundly beat us in the Knockout Cup and deserved their victory because they were definitely the better team.

“They have picked up some good results away from home. In team manager Garry May’s own words, they have been a little fortunate to meet teams when they have had injuries and haven’t been a full strength.

“But they like our track and I know they will be full of confidence.

“They boast Jason Doyle in their ranks and he is the reigning world champion and the best rider in the world.

“It is going to be tough to put one over them but we have to. We have to try to get a win and, if possible, make sure they leave without any points.

“We are in good form and I know Garry will have his riders pumped up. But we will be doing the same with ours so it has all the makings of being quite a fixture.

“They have been up there for the past month so it is going to be quite something to see the two teams going hell for leather against each other.”