THE Buildbase Bees face a vital two matches in their defence of the Craven Shield with Poole standing in their way in this week's semi-finals.

Bees travel to Wimborne Road on Wednesday looking for as good a result as possible ahead of Friday's return at Brandon, and they know the size of the task against a Pirates team who have been on-song at home so far this season.

The Pirates have experienced Pole Adam Skornicki back from a broken wrist, and he has continued his blistering start to the campaign since coming back in the team. They are also expected to include Karol Zabik after the younger Pole missed out last week with illness, but Zibi Suchecki is on the long-term injured list with a broken thigh.

Bees, as would have been the case at Belle Vue on Monday before that match was rained-off, bring in No.8 Ben Barker to cover for the injured Andreas Messing.

They were beaten 53-39 at Wimborne Road in the Elite League a fortnight ago - although on that occasion they were without Rory Schlein, and Olly Allen crashed out in his second ride.

The aggregate winners of the semi-final will take on Lakeside in the Final, the Hammers having automatically gone through by virtue of being the highest scoring team when the tournament was in its group stage.

POOLE: Bjarne Pedersen, Freddie Eriksson, Chris Holder, Karol Zabik, Davey Watt, TBC, Adam Skornicki.

BUILDBASE BEES: Rory Schlein, Olly Allen, Chris Harris, Billy Janniro, Simon Stead, Stan Burza, Ben Barker.