DANNY Ford knows Poole Pirates “need to hit the ground running” if they are to retain their BSN Series title.

Pirates get their 2024 campaign underway on Good Friday, welcoming Oxford Cheetahs to Wimborne Road (7.30pm).

It is the first of four meetings in the southern section of the tournament, with Plymouth Gladiators also part of the three-team group.

Poole and Oxford were the top two sides in the end of season SGB Championship standings in 2023, before third-placed Glasgow Tigers emerged victors in the play-offs.

“I think it is a very tough fixture to be starting our season with,” promoter Ford told the Daily Echo.

“Sometimes you don’t necessarily want to be starting with a home fixture, you want to start with an away one and find your footing, because there is a lot of pressure on to win those home meetings.

“Certainly coming up against Oxford, who a lot of people are tipping as well, it could be very tough. But we’re really looking forward to it.

“We had the same clash on Good Friday last year and that was our biggest crowd since the grand final in 2015.

“So if the weather is kind to us, it’s a mouthwatering encounter against Oxford.

“It’s two teams who are building up a good rivalry.

“If the weather is kind, it’s going to be a hugely successful night, both hopefully on the track for us, but certainly off the track.”

Discussing the BSN Series format, Ford added: “It’s massively unforgiving.

“Effectively in this competition, if you lose a home fixture, you are under enormous pressure.

“You have to go and effectively with the return fixture away. So we need to hit the ground running ultimately.”

Pirates: Lawson, Thomsen, Brennan, Z Cook, B Cook, Hagon, Perry.

Oxford: Masters, Atkins, Heeps, Jenkins, Nicholls, Killeen, Boughen.