LAWSON LEADS PIRATES THROUGH

POOLE are through to the BSN Series semi-finals after a 52-37 win over Oxford with Richard Lawson scoring a 15-point maximum.

The Pirates’ No.1 swept to five wins out of five, including a spectacular effort from the back in Heat 10 where he overtook both Mitch McDiarmid and Anders Rowe.

That was the second of a run of four 5-1s in six races which took the match away from the Cheetahs, who also lost the aggregate point to end their group campaign on four points.

Lewis Kerr scored 10+1 for the Pirates with reserves Cooper Rushen and Will Cairns winning two races apiece, whilst Sam Masters top scored for the Cheetahs with 9+2.

Lawson said: “It was nice for the team to bounce back after our last performance up at Oxford when, like I said before, we didn’t really put up a show.

“But we did what we had to do tonight and we are through to the next stage, and that was the goal.”

Oxford manager Peter Schroeck said: “We battled on all night but it was a difficult evening with one or two things.

“Fair play to Poole, they do what we do at home, and it’s difficult. I think we gave them a good run for their money.”

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Photo credit: TONY HARTMAN