Andrew Moore today prepared to fly the flag for Eastbourne Eagles and admitted: "I just hope I don't come last".

The modest 22-year-old from Lincoln lines up alongside Arlington team-mate Dean Barker in the British Championship final at Oxford on Sunday.

It is Moore's second British final and a great chance for him to continue the form he has shown for the Eagles in Elite League action recently.

But don't expect him to get too excited just yet.

Moore said: "Every time I play things up, they go horribly wrong so I'm looking at it as just another meeting. I know it's a British final but the Eastbourne team comes first for me.

"As far as the British Championship goes, I've got there and that's the hard part. Now I've just got to make a good impression.

"Last year I got six points and if I did that again it would be good. As long as I don't come last. I don't want to embarrass myself."

Moore had to qualify via a rain-affected semi-final, in which he scored a first and a second in two races before the heavens opened.

More renowned riders like Eastbourne duo Barker and David Norris were handed byes, though Norris is not expected to compete due to health problems.

Moore, who made an impact with Eagles last year before suffering a broken leg, hit a high point this summer when he scored six points, paid for ten, from four races in the recent win over Belle Vue.

"Goals pay the rent" was David Coleman's famous line when commentating on Kevin Keegan in the Seventies but, for Moore, it is a case of Elite League points paying the bills.

He said: "I need to be scoring at least five or six points to break even. If I can get maybe eight then I start bringing some money in.

"Things have been getting better in that respect since I came down to No. 7 from No. 2.

"When I was at No. 2, I might have a bad first race and then it ruins the rest of the meeting.

"It leaves me with maybe only two races to get six points. I'm afraid you do end up thinking about the money."

Moore has put his Premier League aspirations with Sheffield on hold this season as he concentrates on the top flight.

He said: "I had the chance to ride for Sheffield as well but I would have had to ride a lot more meetings and dedicate myself to Sheffield if the meetings clashed.

"I was competitive in top Premier League rides and now I am aiming to score points in the Elite League.

"I'm expected to get thirds and paid seconds. If I can do that, it stops the opposition gaining a big advantage."

While Moore is not setting sights too high, Barker reckons he can impress back on his old home patch at Cowley.

Barker said: "The Oxford track suits me and the national title is something I would love to win. It's a prestigious event and I'm up for it."

Former Eagles favourite Joe Screen defends his title against top contenders like Mark Loram, Lee Richardson and Scott Nicholls.

b