WE WON'T PULL A FAST ONE (From Bournemouth Echo)

WE WON'T PULL A FAST ONE

7:00am Wednesday 1st October 2008

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MATT Ford cranked up the Elite League play-off final mind games last night by insisting there won't be any "stroke-playing" by Pirates.

Poole Castle Cover chief Ford added he wants the title decider to be "won on the track and not by the rulebook" and that he fully expects injury doubts Jonas Davidsson and Lubos Tomicek to line up for final opponents Lakeside At the same time, Pirates' owner pledged "there won't be any stroke-playing by us" with reference to the side they would put out at Purfleet in the first leg on Monday.

Ford made his comments after Davidsson and Tomicek missed Hammers' crushing 56-33 semi-final success over Swindon despite both riding on the continent in the build-up to that meeting.

Robins alleged the BSPA management committee ignored their complaints about Davidsson's intended absence, which they claimed Lakeside had confirmed to them five days before the semi-final.

Davidsson rode in Poland on Sunday, scoring one point, with Lakeside co-promoter Jon Cook then claiming the Swede wasn't fit enough to line up against Swindon.

Tomicek reported on his own website he'd ridden twice on the continent inside five days.

Edward Kennett, as a guest, and number eight Kauko Nieminen plundered 16 as makeshift Hammers crushed Swindon before the Finn broke his collarbone in an unnecessary fall.

Ford said: "I spoke to Jon several times yesterday and he expects Tomicek back for the final.

"He'd asked him to ride against Swindon but Lubos didn't feel fit enough, but he will be available to ride against us and I fully expect to see him.

"Jon also expects Jonas to take his place against Poole home and away.

"It's another weeks' recovery. Jon is expecting him to be fit.

"I've said to Lakeside owner Stuart Douglas and Jon, and they agreed, let the best team win and let it be done on the track and not by the rulebook'.

"Let it be on the track by riders who have got both clubs to this position.

"Clearly, Lakeside's not a track Magnus Zetterstrom has enjoyed in the past.

"Zorro scored zero from four rides four months ago, but there won't be any stroke-playing by us. Magnus will be representing Pirates at Lakeside.

"Likewise, I wouldn't say Poole is Leigh Lanham's favourite track, but I fully expect to see Leigh ride here for Lakeside.

"The two teams have ridden well all season long. I don't want anyone wondering what Lakeside intended on doing.

"There should be no arguments, and I don't want to think for one second there will be."

Ford shrugged off speculation Tomasz Jedrzejak could line up at reserve if Davidsson returns, saying : "Tomasz is on a 5.71 average and Lakeside have two riders below him."

• Pirates are running a coach to Lakeside, leaving Poole Stadium at 2pm.

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