THE head coach of the Kingdom's West Fife-based cycle speedway team believes they are underdogs ahead of a title decider this weekend.

Craig Masson will lead the Fife Revolutions, who train and race at their custom-built track at Queen Anne High School, into a one-off play-off match with Astley and Tyldesley on Sunday as they bid to win a second successive British Cycling North and Scotland Division Two championship.

Competing in the competition for only a third year, the Revolutions finished level on points with their rivals from Greater Manchester at the end of the regular season which, in accordance with league regulations, means a decider at neutral Northumbria Vikings.

Having beaten Astley and Tyldesley on home soil, they went into the final weekend of the campaign knowing that repeating the feat in the return, as well as victory over Bury Comets, would be enough to clinch glory.

But, although they defeated the Comets, a defeat by four points to Astley and Tyldesley ensured that they could not be separated at the top of the standings.

The last competitive action for Revolutions' riders was on September 29, in the final leg of the 'Scottish Fours' competition, and Masson said: "It's a bit frustrating.

"We've not been able to have training sessions because of the weather, the (October) holiday and the light beating us, but we'll go down and do our best against A&T.

"I'm hopeful we'll have eight riders there. There are 12 races and they'll give everything in those.

"A&T have probably prepared slightly better, as the fours they compete in (Northern Fours) were held in mid-October, so they've not had as long a lay-off.

"We know it's a huge task. A&T I think will be favourites; they've had a shorter lay-off and beat us in the last match. They've got Matt Snell who, out of 12 races against us, has won around 10, and then there's Emily Burgess, who is a world champion.

"But, you never know, and it will come down to who performs best on the day. We are pleased to have a strong referee for the final, who we have found to be fair in the past, and will recognise the importance of the occasion for the riders when they go up to the tapes.

"We've got a good team spirit and I've got every faith in their abilities and to give their best. That's all you can ask."

Masson, however, said that even if his team didn't bring the trophy home, he was "proud of the team and how they've progressed in the three years" they have been competing, which has provided the opportunity to grow the club's membership and interest in the sport.

"To win one championship, and compete for a second, in three years is amazing," he added.

"Our ultimate aim is that we want more people taking part across the country, and to become part of Fife, and challenging for titles is a by-product of that.

"We're putting the word out and we're starting to see the benefits. I hope people who try it get the bug and want to start competing.

"The knock-on effect would not only benefit Fife but the other Scottish clubs."