MAXIMUM man Jerran Hart believes Buccaneers can shrug off Kyle Newman’s injury and still topple Plymouth in the National League title play-off final tonight (7.30pm).

Bournemouth Castle Cover head for the tricky St Boniface Arena track using rider replacement for teenager Newman, who is nursing a broken thigh.

But Hart, who blitzed to a remarkable 21-point maximum for Buccaneers against Devils on the same circuit in July, feels Bournemouth will still be able to repeat their cup triumph that day at Plymouth.

Hart, who became the first rider in the Dorset promotion’s 62-year history to win seven races in one match during a memorable 49-41 success, said: “We have performed so well this season that I definitely think we can win tonight.

“We didn’t have Danny Warwick because he was injured in July when we won at Plymouth.

“And there’s no doubt in my mind, even without Danny, Kyle or whoever is injured, we will do a good job there.

“We’ve been there and won before, so there is no reason why we couldn’t do it again even with Adam Allott guesting for injured Mark Simmonds in their team tonight.

“I know they have brought in Craig Cook as a guest for the second leg at Poole on Wednesday, but he hasn’t been riding as long as most of us in our team.

“We’re all more experienced than him.

“You’ve got to get your set up right on Plymouth’s track though because you need to make starts as it’s very small, tight and bumpy.

“A good result for us would be a 10-point win, and because we’re unbeaten at home all season, with the strong team we’ve got, I couldn’t see anyone beating us in the second leg anyway.

“Of course, going back to Plymouth gives me fond memories of my 21-pointer, and I’d love to do it again.

“But the only reason I got 21 was because I made seven awesome starts. I only had to go past someone in one race.

“It’s all about setting your bike up to get out the gate quickly, then finding the right line to race.”

Hart notched double figures in both legs as Buccaneers beat Buxton 105-83 on aggregate in the final to lift the third tier cup earlier this month.

Looking back, the teenager said: “I just treated those meetings like any others at the time.

“It wasn’t until I actually got back home to Ipswich after the second leg that I actually realised we’d won something.

“It made me feel great and I hope we get the same feeling tonight.”

Hart could possibly get seven rides again tonight as he can cover one of Newman’s rider replacement outings, and probably go out in the nominated race.

Plymouth, who defeated Buccaneers 49-43 in Devon on August 28 in a regular season clash, are chasing their own double of league and National Trophy.

Plymouth: 1 Adam Allott (guest), 2 Paul Starke, 3 Matt Bates, 4 Seemond Stephens, 5 Kyle Hughes, 6 Jaimie Pickard, 7 David Gough.

Buccaneers: 1 Jay Herne, 2 Danny Warwick, 3 Rider replacement for Kyle Newman, 4 Mark Baseby, 5 Jerran Hart, 6 Andrew Aldridge, 7 Aaron Baseby, 8 John Resch.

A Buccaneers supporters coach leaves Poole Stadium car park for Plymouth at 2pm.Cost is £20 per head. Contact 01202 681145 to book a seat.

If tonight’s meeting is rained-off, it will be re-staged tomorrow.