Eastbourne Eagles today backed Lewis Bridger to have the last word after being barred from practising at a rival track.

The highly-rated 17-year-old was told he could not join in a training session with his new Polish club Czestochowa at Poole yesterday.

Poole were concerned the session would give Bridger an advantage ahead of the new season.

But their decision to ban him has stoked up the old south coast rivalry ahead of the Pirates' challenge match at Arlington tomorrow.

Eagles promoter Bob Brimson said: "I thought it was a bonkers thing to do.

"I made an appeal to (Poole promoter) Matt Ford to make a special allowance for a 17-year-old British prospect.

"Matt is one of the better promoters but this shows what we are up against.

"Hopefully Lewis takes it out on Poole tomorrow night. If you want to fire Lewis up this is a good way to do it."

Eagles go to Poole next Wednesday and riders are not allowed to tackle the same away track twice in eight days.

But Brimson said: "I don't believe that applies here. We are talking about a pre-season practice."

Eagles have told local boy Edward Kennett, who also rides for Czestochowa, that he cannot do pre-season at Arlington after going on loan to Poole Brimson said: "That's not the same situation. Lewis is a kid trying to find his feet with a foreign club.

"Had Czestochowa been practising at Eastbourne, we would have let Edward Kennett ride."

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