POOLE Pirates will begin their 2024 campaign by hosting Oxford Cheetahs on Good Friday.

The full schedule for SGB Championship clubs has now been revealed, with Poole starting at Wimborne Road against Oxford on March 29, as they begin the defence of their BSN Series title.

Pirates won the inaugural event this year and are again in a group alongside Oxford and Plymouth Gladiators.

They will face both clubs home and away before a two-legged Knockout Cup quarter-final against Edinburgh Monarchs.

The Championship, again sponsored by Cab Direct, will then get going for Pirates with a trip to Berwick Bandits on Saturday, May 4.

Poole, who topped the league standings last season, will be looking to reclaim the trophy, having lost in the play-off grand final to Glasgow Tigers.

Pirates’ first home league meeting of 2024 will be against newcomers Workington Comets, on Wednesday, May 15.

They have left some gaps for home dates in June, in the hope of additional BSN Series or cup fixtures to fit in around that time.

The first meeting at Wimborne Road in 2024 will come before Pirates begin their campaign, with Kyle Newman’s testimonial on Wednesday, March 20.

Poole-born Newman does not have a team place at his hometown team for 2024, but has been granted the event for his service to the club over the years.

Richard Lawson, who will spearhead Pirates’ charge next year, has also been granted a testimonial at Wimborne Road, with the date of Sunday, September 1 now in the diary.

Promoter Danny Ford said: “With the fixtures now released, it really feels as if the season is now almost upon us.

“I think there is a better balance to our schedule this year, compared to last.

“With two testimonials being wrapped around the known fixtures, there is plenty to look forward to in a year where we are once again intent on trying to sweep the board.”

Poole Pirates’ 2024 fixture list (league unless otherwise stated):

March –

Wed 20: Kyle Newman testimonial
Fri 29: Oxford (h) (BSN Series)
Sat 30: Plymouth (a) (BSN Series)

April –

Wed 3: Oxford (a) (BSN Series)
Wed 10: Plymouth (h) (BSN Series)
Wed 24: Edinburgh (h) (KO Cup)

May –

Fri 3: Edinburgh (a) (KO Cup)
Sat 4: Berwick (a)
Wed 15: Workington (h)
Sat 25: Plymouth (a)
Wed 29: Berwick (h)

June –

Wed 5: Redcar (h)
Wed 19: Oxford (a)
Fri 21: Edinburgh (a)

July –

Wed 3: Edinburgh (h)
Wed 17: Plymouth (h)
Fri 19: Redcar (a)
Fri 26: Glasgow (a)
Sat 27: Workington (a)
Wed 31: Glasgow (h)

August –

Wed 7: Scunthorpe (h)
Fri 9: Scunthorpe (a)
Wed 14: Oxford (h)

September –

Sun 1: Richard Lawson testimonial

(All fixtures subject to change)