PIRATES BOOK GRAND FINAL PLACE

POOLE secured their place in the Cab Direct Championship Grand Final with a 53-36 win at Workington for an emphatic 31-point aggregate victory.

Ben Cook scored a 12-point maximum for the Pirates, who led by 14 points heading to the GT Tyres Arena and only saw that advantage cut back by two before taking control on the day.

Richard Lawson added 12+1 as the visitors remained unbeaten from three visits to the Cumbrian venue this season, and they limited the home side to just four race wins with Dan Thompson top-scoring on eight points.

Pirates promoter Dan Ford said: “I always thought the aggregate win was well within our grasp but to be honest, despite a few doubters, one in particular who is close to me, who thought we weren’t going to win the meeting tonight, I felt we would win both legs and we certainly proved them wrong!

“It was a great performance by the boys with everyone chipping in with points and especially Vinnie (Foord) who was real good value for his points which as we know might have been more.

“The important thing is that it keeps the momentum going as we head into three big Finals.

“I am really proud of Ben with another unbeaten performance, and he must be one of, if not the, best rider in the league right now – he’s so good when he’s out front.”

Poole will now face Oxford or Scunthorpe in the Grand Final, with the Cheetahs two points up on the Scorpions heading into their second leg at Cowley on Wednesday.

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Photo credit: DAVE PAYNE