WEYMOUTH Doonan Wildcats’ team manager Jem Dicken believes tonight’s National League derby clash at Bournemouth will be a “titanic battle”.

The two Dorset clubs meet for the first time since the Buccaneers were formed by Poole Pirates’ promoter Matt Ford last winter.

The fact that Bournemouth’s line-up is littered with former Wildcat riders, including skipper Jay Herne – who shares a house with current Weymouth number two Terry Day – and Kyle Newman, only adds extra spice to the Wimborne Road encounter (7.30pm).

Dicken, whose men sit proudly at the league’s summit, said: “We’ve got to go and beat them.

“There have been noises from some quarters that they’re going to annihilate us, but I’d rather we did our talking on the track and see what happens.

“Hopefully the fixture will have caught people’s attention and we can get a few supporters down there.

“Wessex Bus are putting on some travel for us and hopefully we’ll get a bit of noise down there and the boys will bring back the points.

“You always relish big meetings like this and I think the rivalry will be even bigger because they’re so close.

“With three former Wildcats in the Buccaneers’ line-up it’s going to be a titanic battle. I’m quite confident we can keep it close, if not go on and win.

“We’re sitting top of the table and that’s where we want to stay all season.”

Two busses, courtesy of Wessex Bus, will leave the home of the Wildcats at 5.30pm this afternoon, with a seat costing £5.

Following tonight’s meeting, the Wildcats host the Buxton Hitmen tomorrow (7.15pm).