BUCCANEERS assistant manager Neil Vatcher has registered his “disappointment” that their title play-off clash at Plymouth was called off two hours before scheduled tapes-up last night.

Referee Graham Reeve postponed the first leg of the National League final because of a waterlogged track following a 5.30pm inspection.

But Vatcher said: “To be honest, we were a little bit disappointed with that decision.

“Only the Plymouth chairman and ref looked at the track. No-one from the Bournemouth team had a chance.

“There is no reason why they couldn’t have waited until 8pm, half an hour after scheduled tapes-up, and seen what the situation was then, especially when all the riders were here and our supporters’ coach arrived soon afterwards.

“It seems a waste that we just had to turn around and go home because it obviously gives Plymouth the second leg.”

Plymouth chairman Mike Bowden said: “Without a doubt, the ref made the right decision to call it off at 5.30pm.

“It was raining and the track was under water. It was still pelting down at 6.30pm and the forecast was for more heavy rain until it was due to clear in the morning.”

Bowden confirmed to the Echo he had originally hoped to re-stage last night’s rained-off meeting tonight.

But he said: “The BSPA (British Speedway Promoters’ Association) ordered us to go to Weymouth in the National Trophy on Saturday because that fixture had been fixed for a longer period.

“Adam Allott is prepared to ride for us as a guest for injured Mark Simmonds next Friday, but our preferred guest is Craig Cook, who is already guesting for us at Poole on Wednesday.”

Vatcher confirmed Buccaneers would go with the same seven riders, including number eight John Resch, who had been due to be on duty last night in the first leg and re-arranged second leg.

Bowden said if Plymouth’s home leg next Friday was called-off, it would be re-staged on Saturday October 31.