Cheetahs plan revenge for Pirates return.

The Oxford 'FOX FM' Cheetahs are out for revenge against the Poole Pirates when they visit this Friday, June 14th, 2002 for a 'Sky Sports' Elite League match.

The action gets underway with the parade of riders at 7.30pm and the first race is at 7.45pm.

The Cheetahs narrowly beat the Pirates a few weeks ago in a nail biting match but they were soundly beaten when they travelled South at the end of May, losing the bonus point. With Poole and Oxford very close in the table every point is vital in the quest for League points and this Friday could be decisive in the final analysis.

Promoter Vanessa Purchase noted: "Things haven't gone that well in the first half of the season but we really need to get the maximum out of the second half and a win over the Pirates would be the perfect boost".

Both teams are missing riders, Oxford continue without Brian Andersen and also Lukas Dryml will be missing as he is in a championship qualifier.

Rider Replacement will operate for Dryml but Team Manager Colin Meredith has booked a guest to replace Brian Andersen.

"We have asked Sam Ermolenko to cover and he was more than pleased to do so," said Meredith. "A rider of Sam's experience will help us at the top end with Leigh and with Johno back to his best we are a solid outfit."

Poole are missing both Hans Andersen and Bjarne Pedersen and they will operate Rider Replacement for Pedersen while they have booked Sam Tesar as a guest for Andersen. Vanessa Purchase is not concerned by the Oxford track specialists inclusion: "I am convinced that we have the strength to do it, but it is going to be a fantastic speedway meeting and I certainly would not want to miss it."

With a large crowd expected everyone is urged to arrive as early as possible and a reminder also that there is a free overflow car park at Unipart which is just a few minutes walk away from the stadium.

Teams:

Oxford: Leigh Adams, Rider Replacement, Steve Johnston, Ales Dryml, Sam Ermolenko, Mark Lemon and Andrew Appleton.

Poole: Gary Havelock, Rider Replacement, Sam Tesar, Greg Walasek, Tony Rickardsson, Tomasz Chrzanowski and Mariusz Staszewski.