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AUSTRALIAN Under-21 International Dakota North is the latest name to be added to Peterboroughs starting line-up for the new season.North is the Panthers fifth signing and will be racing in the Elite League only after previous doubling-up spells in the top flight.Peterborough co-boss Jan Staechmann said: Dak is a Panthers asset and is a young man with plenty of ambitions in the sport. Having followed his exploits from a distance I think we have an exciting young rider who will fit in well with the rest of the team.We had plenty of headaches last season from the double-up position due to rider availability and injuries, so it was important for us to address that situation and make sure we didn't leave ourselves open to vulnerability in that department again. Dak fits the bill perfectly.

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POOLE promoter Matt Ford says he will go into the new season optimistic about the Pirates chances of regaining the Elite League title.The Dorset club have been involved in four of the last five Grand Finals, winning two and losing two, and just missed out to Swindon last year despite topping the regular table.Ford said: The task of course is to go one better than last season - reach the play-offs and come out as overall champions. For the second time in three seasons we failed to achieve that objective despite finishing top of the actual league table.I feel that moving forward we have seven riders capable of flying the Poole colours high. When I look at the other sides that are being assembled, it strikes me that we should be more than able to hold our own, and there will be some intriguing matches ahead.

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FRIDAY JANUARY 18:CHRISTMAS CRACKER: Somerset 7.30