MATT Ford expects Coventry to give Pirates a much sterner test than they did in the Elite Shield.

Poole notched a dominant 103-77 victory over two legs as they built on an emphatic 56-34 triumph at Wimborne Road.

But Pirates chief Ford says that win will not give the home septet an advantage in tonight's Elite League clash (7.30pm).

He said: "Our Elite Shield triumph will count for nothing. Every meeting is different and past performances often have little bearing on outcomes of rematches.

"I am happy with the way we have started the season although of course there are some areas where we can still improve.

"But Coventry will be rocking up at Wimborne Road keen to make up for what happened in their earlier visit.

"With Krzysztof Kasprzak back in the side, there will certainly be a different dynamic about them. He's come back well from injury and we know how freely he can score around our place.

"You can say a similar thing about Chris Harris and I am sure Gary Havelock will have his side fired up for this one. I am certainly not expecting such a margin as in the Shield."

Ford was speaking to the club website.