Martin Dugard will go head to head with world champion Tony Rickardsson on his farewell appearance at Arlington Stadium tomorrow night.

The big guns are likely to clash three times during the Craven Shield showdown between Eastbourne Eagles and South Coast rivals Poole Pirates.

Dugard and Rickardsson are scheduled to meet in heats six and 13, and you wouldn't bet against an action-packed finale in the nominated riders' race in heat 15.

Barring a couple of spectacular Eastbourne performances in the next 24 hours, or the weather taking a hand, that will bring down the curtain on the season at the Sussex stadium.

And on one of the most distinguished careers in Eagles' history.

Dugard is quitting the sport after scoring more than 6,500 points, most of them in Eastbourne's colours, and leading the club to league and cup triumphs.

Eagles' boss Jon Cook paid this tribute: "Martin has given fantastic service to Eastbourne. In many ways, this is a sad occasion, but no one will ever forget his remarkable achievements for the Eagles."

The rider known as the Master of Arlington once rode in 49 successive races at the track without being beaten.

And for someone who professed not to care much about individual glory, he did pretty well, twice beating the best in the world in the British Grand Prix and the Overseas Championship.

Dugard's last appearance will take centre stage on a night which promises to be something special.

Rickardsson is sure to get a huge reception after winning the world title for the fourth time in Stockholm last Saturday.

There will be a lap of honour before the meeting by the new Russian champion, Roman Povazhny.

And English fans will get the first sight of another Russian, Eastbourne's new signing, Sergei Darkin.

Cook promised: "We plan to end the season with a bang."

Cook has not given up hope of Eagles reaching the Craven Shield final, but that looks a tall order after the 57-33 defeat at Poole in midweek.

The Sussex outfit must win away to Elite League table-toppers Oxford tonight and then overturn that Poole result by more than 24 points tomorrow to sink the Pirates.

"It would be an amazing achievement to finish top of the group against the best two teams in the league. If we can't do that, we still want to win and finish on a high."

The fact that Poole have already won twice at Eastbourne this season, 46-44 on both occasions, and Eagles have not won in the last eight meetings between the teams, adds an extra ingredient to tomorrow's clash.

Toni Svab will ride at Oxford but is the man to make way for Darkin against Poole.

Eastbourne are keen to take a look at Darkin, who has never ridden in this country, with a view to next year.

On Svab's absence, Cook said: "It's a question of last in, first out, but his omission is no indication of our planning for next season. We just felt it would have been harsh to leave out any of the riders who have been with us all season."

Why I am quitting - Dugard's talks in tomorrow's Sports Argus