PIRATES will aim to be the first side since 2014 to complete a British Speedway Treble tonight.

Poole defend a 24-point lead after the first leg against Oxford Cheetahs in the KO Cup final, beating the Cheetahs 57-33, to add to their Championship and BSN Series titles already secured this season.

In doing so they would be the first side to do the treble since Edinburgh in 2014, and the first Pirates side to achieve the feat since 2003.

Skipper Ben Cook knows he and his Pirates side are firm favourites to regain the title they lost last season to Scunthorpe, needing just 34 points against the injury ravaged Oxford team.

In the first leg, the hosts Oxford were rocked back after losing their captain Scott Nicholls in a bad heat four crash with Tom Brennan, with Pirates taking control of the meeting from then on.

(Image: Taylor Lanning) Reserves Tobias Thomsen and Vinnie Foord had strong performances, Thomsen taking home a paid 12 score and Foord a paid nine.

Richard Lawson and Tom Brennan were also on fine form, with Pirates hoping this will continue into the home leg as they aim to defend their lead and take the title.

Team manager, Neil Middleditch, said: “It is dangerous in speedway to take anything for granted but for sure we are in a very strong position and you would have to say it is ours to lose.

“I know the lads will be keen to get it mathematically over the line and will treat this as any other meeting, with total professionalism and 100% effort, but I can see it becoming a great night of celebration.”

Oxford face a mountain to climb to overturn Poole’s 24-point lead, and they will be without four of their first choice one-to-seven.

(Image: Taylor Lanning) Nicholls has been ruled out with an injured shoulder after his first ride crash at Sandy Lane, while Luke Killeen remains side-lined after he suffered concussion in the second leg of the Championship Grand Final at Wimborne Road.

The Cheetahs are still without reserve Adam Roynon and Jordan Jenkins.

In their places, Oxford have called upon Scunthorpe skipper Simon Lambert, the star of last season’s cup final, in place of Nicholls, while Dan Gilkes continues for Jenkins.

Ben Trigger comes in for Killeen while Connor Coles keeps the number seven jacket he wore in last Thursday’s first leg.

Pirates, meanwhile, will be at full strength, as they aim to secure the treble.

Poole (TM Neil Middleditch): 1: Richard Lawson; 2: Sam Hagon; 3: Ben Cook (Capt); 4: Zach Cook; 5: Tom Brennan; 6: Tobias Thomsen; 7: Vinnie Foord.

Oxford (TM Peter Schroeck): 1: Sam Masters (Capt); 2: Simon Lambert (Guest); 3: Ashton Boughen; 4: Dan Gilkes (Guest); 5: Cameron Heeps; 6: Ben Trigger (Guest); 7: Connor Coles (Guest).