Bees to rely on experience; Bees can handle the pressure.

Byline: David Rowe 

COVENTRY are hoping to put their trophy-winning experience of previous years to good use in the first leg of the Knockout Cup Final at Lakeside tonight.

The Buildbase Bees are going for their seventh major team honour in the last five seasons, and are looking to win the cup for the third time in four years.

The two-legged tie, which will be completed at Brandon in a fortnight, brings together the two clubs whose Elite League campaigns ended at the semi-final stage.

And co-boss Peter Oakes feels that big-meeting wins against Belle Vue, Swindon and the Hammers themselves in recent finals will stand the Bees in good stead.

He said: "We have been there before and we know the riders can cope with the pressures a big final brings.

"I know our riders won't buckle under that pressure, and if Lakeside's don't then it is going to be a tremendous two-legged final that probably won't be decided until towards the end of the second leg. "Chris Harris, Ben Barker, Olly Allen and Rory Schlein have all been in trophywinning Coventry sides and that is a huge plus for us." The Brandon management have plenty of respect for the job done by the Hammers, who have shed their tag of perennial wooden-spoonists to reach three major finals in two years - but they have still to win one. Oakes said: "Lakeside have been so near yet so far in recent years, so they will be busting a gut to end their long run. They have done brilliantly to get where they have under the promotion of Stuart Douglas and Jon Cook and will be looking to make that final but vital step.

"We know how difficult it is to make that initial breakthrough - it's a psychological barrier as much as anything, as Swindon are currently finding out despite their long, long history. "No-one doubts the Robins were the strongest team in the league but, on the very last day of their season, they are suddenly the underdogs. "It's amazing what pressure can do and the winners of this year's KO Cup will be the team that can cope with that pressure - the pressure of having to win, the pressure of the fans' expectations, and the pressure of the occasion." Jordan Frampton returns to the Coventry team tonight after missing the semi-final at Belle Vue, while the Hammers have called up Tom P Madsen to guest at reserve with their regular doublingup riders ruled out.

CAPTION(S):

LUCKY SEVEN... Jordan Frampton.