Newman: Pirates need to make it two out of three

Kyle Newman speaks to Total Guide to Dorset ahead of Poole Pirates' Championship Knockout Cup final against Scunthorpe.

Pirates ace Kyle Newman vowed to make it two out of three trophies this season – as Poole look to respond in the final of the Championship Knockout Cup.  

Beaten over two legs in the SGB Championship play-off final against Glasgow Tigers this week – culminating at Wimborne Road – the Dorset club visit Scunthorpe Scorpions in the first leg of the cup.

Pirates make the trip to the Eddie Wright Raceway on Sunday (3pm) before the return leg on home shale on Wednesday (7.30pm).

And Poole-born Newman, a three-time league winner with Pirates, insisted it was imperative to add the Knockout Cup to the BSN Series trophy they picked up earlier this campaign.

The 31-year-old told Total Guide to Dorset: “They (Scunthorpe) have pushed us hard this year but we have got two results up there.

“We desperately need to try to make that three because they are very strong here (at Wimborne Road).

“We need to make it two out of three (trophies). We need to do it for the fans, sponsors, management, promotions, everyone associated with the club.

“We need to do it for them, repay them for the tremendous support they have given us throughout the year.”

Newman picked up 8+1 in a busy evening against Glasgow last time out, taking seven rides in total.

“Having seven rides and when you are not quite on the button setup-wise, it’s a bit hard,” he added, when reflecting on missing out on the league crown.

“You are trying to take breath between each race and get going – we just couldn’t quite claw it back.

“Fair play to Glasgow, they are a good side. We have got no excuses.

“Glasgow strengthened their team right at the right time this season and what can we say? It’s done now. It’s a bitter pill to swallow.

“I think we’ve got to hold our heads high, we won the league as such and just haven’t won the final.”

(Picture: Taylor Lanning Photography)