OXFORD Cheetahs boss Peter Schroeck is ready for a huge occasion as his side gets set for the first leg of their Championship grand final.

After postponements for the home and away meetings, Cheetahs welcome Poole Pirates tomorrow evening in a rare Saturday clash.

It will be the first Saturday speedway meeting at Sandy Lane since July 1968, when Cheetahs beat Newport Wasps 54-24 in a British League match.

Poole have already won the BSN Series, beating Scunthorpe Scorpions in the two-legged final, and are seeking a treble, while Cheetahs are chasing a league and cup double.

In addition to the Championship final, the two sides will meet in the final of the Championship Knockout Cup.

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Pirates finished top of the regular Championship table, with Cheetahs in second, but Oxford won both meetings against Poole, via a super heat on home shale, and with a famous 49-41 victory at Wimborne Road, inflicting Pirates’ first home defeat since June 2022, ending a 42-match run.

Cheetahs have an identical side to the one which beat Scunthorpe in both legs of the play-off semi-final, with Dan Gilkes coming in for the injured Jordan Jenkins, while Oxford Charger Jody Scott will replace Adam Roynon.

Schroeck said: “We believe the Saturday date for our leg of the final could really work. Many people won’t have to dash from work, while it gives more opportunity for the Poole fans to travel up.

“I also hope we attract new people and new families along, intrigued to see what all the fuss is about, and we hope to put a fantastic show on for them.

“The play-off final is a huge occasion, and for Poole to be our opponents only makes it bigger, due to the proud history of both clubs.

“There’s also quite a rivalry between the two clubs. This isn’t the first time Oxford and Poole have been in a battle to decide the league championship.

“It’s my job to make sure the team remain calm. There’s been a lot of interest and a lot of razzmatazz surrounding the grand final, as there always was going to be, but I’ve got to make sure the boys don’t get distracted by that, and stay focused and approach it like a normal meeting.

“More than anything, we hope everyone connected with Oxford Speedway, our supporters, our sponsors, all our track staff and helpers, enjoy what should be a fabulous occasion.”

The second leg takes place at Wimborne Road on Wednesday, and the aggregate winners will become the Championship league champions.

Both meetings are restaged dates, after heavy rain led to separate postponements.