POOLE Pirates' long wait for a return to action has been extended due to the weather.

Pirates had been due to head to Plymouth Gladiators tomorrow evening, but that meeting has now been called off due to persistent heavy rain.

Poole have not ridden competitively in more than 600 days, since their Premiership play-off defeat to Ipswich in September 2019.

The Championship Knockout Cup fixture will now be rescheduled, with a new date to be confirmed.

A statement from Plymouth read: "Due to incessant rain over the past few days, and more forecast for tomorrow we have had no alternative but to reluctantly cancel tomorrow’s Knockout Cup fixture between the Plymouth Gladiators and the Poole Pirates."

Pirates will now have to wait until Saturday to get their season underway, with a league trip to Eastbourne Eagles (7.30pm).