Glasgow Tigers v Poole Pirates

GLASGOW edged out leaders Poole 47-43 in a pulsating Cab Direct Championship clash between the top two at Ashfield.

The lead changed hands on five occasions as the Pirates reeled in an early six point deficit at the halfway stage, and they led the meeting with three races remaining.

But home duo Chris Harris and Leon Flint combined for vital 5-1s in Heats 13 and 15 to more than cancel out a Poole 4-2 headed by Lewis Kerr in Heat 14 which had levelled the scores.

Flint scored 13 points from five rides with Harris on 11+2, and reserve Freddy Hodder contributed a vital 8+2. Recent Poole signing Slater Lightcap top-scored with 9+2 from seven rides, whilst Will Cairns (9) won three races.

Tigers manager Cami Brown said: “It was another nail-biting finale for the fans but it’s a great win for the team.

“Considering we are having to use two guests, to beat Poole in that manner is always satisfying. The team showed huge grit to get the job done.

“Obviously we need to up our game even further if we reach the play-offs. Narrowly winning at home isn’t going to work over two legs when it comes to the crunch.

“But right now the only objective is to get to the play-offs and that win is a large step in the right direction.”

Kerr (7+1) said: “Heat 14 was personally good for me for the drive home, but it was a frustrating night all round.

“We were all changing things trying to find the right way to go, but this is a tough place to come and I suppose we got the aggregate point so that helps.”

CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP
GLASGOW 47: Leon Flint 13, Chris Harris 11+2, Anders Rowe 9, Freddy Hodder 8+2, Kevin Juhl Pedersen 4, Anze Grmek 2, Sam Hagon 0
POOLE 43: Slater Lightcap 9+2, Will Cairns 9, Zach Cook 8, Richard Lawson 7+2, Lewis Kerr 7+1, Kyle Newman 3+2, Cooper Rushen r/r
Poole win aggregate point

OFFICIAL REFEREE SCORECARD
Available here

Photo credit: TAYLOR LANNING