PIRATES LEAD CUP FINAL

POOLE took control of the MAXiCab Knockout Cup Final with a 52-38 win over Redcar in the first leg at Wimborne Road on Wednesday.

Pirates No.1 Richard Lawson scored yet another maximum with 14+1, and a big 5-1 with skipper Zach Cook (13+1) in Heat 15 restored their 14-point margin.

The home side had established that lead inside ten races before the Bears fought back with a 5-1 in Heat 11 with the next three races shared.

But Poole then produced their big finish with maximum points over Charles Wright (10+1) after Danny King had been disqualified having suffered mechanical trouble just before the start.

Pirates boss Neil Middleditch said: “Traditionally we’ve performed well at Redcar, but I’ve been in this game for a long time and you never take anything for granted.

“A couple of 5-1s and they’re back in it, and that’s what we mustn’t let happen.

“Tonight a couple of the boys weren’t on-song, but everybody pulled their weight and we got the job done.”

Redcar manager Gavin Parr said: “I think we were gating really well, which was a complete difference to Friday at home (in the play-offs), but we were just caught in no man’s land a few times coming out of the second bend.

“But full credit to Poole as usual, they’re a class side. We’ve sort of held on, and it’s not all over yet.”

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Photo credit: TONY HARTMAN