POOLE Pirates travel to Scunthorpe in search of reaching their second final of the season.

Poole lead their hosts tonight by 31 points after the first leg of the KO Cup semi final, but will not be taking matters lightly, as this could prove to be a dress rehearsal for at least one upcoming final.

Scunthorpe are well placed to join Pirates in the BSN Series final, and potentially the play offs, too.

But the south coast side will be focused on the job at hand as they look to press the advantage their 60-29 first leg victory has earned them.

Sam Hagon is set to miss out after aggravating his mouth injury he sustained earlier this season at Berwick after crashing at Richard Lawson’s Testimonial meeting.

Hagon’s absence will put additional pressure on the lower averaged riders in the side, with Pirates operating the rider replacement facility.

This means his rides can only be taken by Zach Cook and the two reserves, Tobias Thomsen and guest Paul Starke.

Promoter Danny Ford believes his side has enough in the bank to see them through to the final but he wants Pirates to continue their good momentum with finals on the horizon.

“We are in a strong position with the thirty-one-point lead,” he said.

“But we are not taking anything for granted.

“Scunthorpe is always a tough place to go, but it is a track where we believe we can get the job done and secure our spot in the final.”

In this fixture earlier in the season, Pirates lost by six points, and are one of just three sides to have broken the 40-point barrier at the Eddie Wright Raceway so far this season.

But with Scunthorpe having hit 60-plus points this season before, Pirates know they cannot afford to rest on their laurels.

The second semi final tie will also be decided on Friday night as Oxford hope to defend their 10 point advantage as they travel to Redcar.

Scunthorpe (David Howe): 1: Michael Palm-Toft; 2: Connor Mountain; 3: Simon Lambert; (Capt) 4: Jake Allen; 5: Kyle Howarth; 6: Nathan Ablitt; 7: Ace Pijper (Guest).

Poole (Dan Ford): 1: Richard Lawson; 2: Rider Replacement (for Sam Hagon); 3: Ben Cook; 4: Zach Cook; 5: Tom Brennan; 6: Tobias Thomsen; 7: Paul Starke (Guest).