HOLDERS Plymouth Devils have been drawn to meet either Bournemouth Buccaneers or Weymouth Wildcats in the semi-finals of the National League Knockout Cup.

The Buccaneers and Wildcats meet in their quarter-final second leg clash at Bournemouth on Thursday.

Weymouth hold a 16-point advantage from the first leg, having won it 56-40.

However, a repeat of Bournemouth's 56-36 league win in May would see the Buccaneers set up a semi-final date with Plymouth.

Devils chairman Mike Bowden said his side face a tough task in reaching the final.

However, he did admit that he would prefer to meet Bournemouth in the semis.

"Both Bournemouth and Weymouth are good sides and it should be a superb match between them on Thursday," said Bowden.

"Weymouth will start the match as favourites after their win in the first leg.

"But Bournemouth are quite capable of turning the 16-point deficit around.

"Whoever we get in the semi-finals will provide us with a test.

"But I would like to meet Bournemouth because I believe we would stand a better chance of beating them over two legs and reaching the final."

Bowden is hoping to stage the home leg of the semis at the St Boniface Arena on Saturday, July 25.

The Devils usually race on a Friday night, but Weymouth are hosting the Bronze Helmet event on Friday, July 24 where a number of National League riders will be competing.

So Bowden will be looking to entertain either Bournemouth or Weymouth in what would be the Devils' first-ever Saturday night meeting.

Meanwhile, former Plymouth rider Rob Smith will race against his old side when he guests for Scunthorpe in Friday's National League match at the St Boniface Arena (7.30pm).

Smith will guest for Simon Lambert at number one in a Saints side which also contains captain Byron Bekker and 15-year-old Ashley Morris at reserve.

Morris could come up against his rival for the British Under-15 championship title, Plymouth's Josh Dingle.

Either Dingle or Danny Stoneman will ride at number seven for Plymouth – a decision will be made later in the week.

Otherwise, Bowden has named the same side that comfortably beat Buxton 55-38 last Friday, although David Gough moves to number six.

Plymouth Devils: Mark Simmonds, Matt Bates, Kyle Hughes, Paul Starke, Seemond Stephens (capt), David Gough, Josh Dingle/Danny Stoneman.

Scunthorpe Saints: Rob Smith, Adam Wrathall, Kyle Howarth, Byron Bekker (capt), Scott Richardson, John MacPhail, Ashley Morris.