BSN GOLD FOR PIRATES

POOLE regained the BSN Series trophy with a 52-38 win over holders Redcar at Wimborne Road for an eight-point victory on aggregate.

The Bears put up a strong defence of the silverware in Dorset and they were still ahead on aggregate midway through a tense encounter.

Pirates levelled overall with a 5-1 from Will Cairns and Slater Lightcap in a controversial Heat 8, as Cairns and Jake Mulford clashed prior to the start, and maximum points from Lewis Kerr and Cooper Rushen in the next race put them in front overall.

Rushen secured the aggregate success by winning the penultimate race, before home No.1 Richard Lawson became the first rider to beat Redcar counterpart Charles Wright in Heat 15 after Jake Allen had crashed out.

Pirates manager Neil Middleditch said: “Early doors we just didn’t seem to have that much fire in us. I had a chat with them and Zach (Cook) was screaming at them being the captain, and just saying we need to get some guts going, and they responded brilliantly.

“We got there in the end, but fair play to Redcar for a fantastic performance. My boys were brilliant and big up to Havvy (Gary Havelock) who has been a big part of this trophy win. I’m very, very pleased.”

Bears boss Gavin Parr said: “To get them to Heat 14, I can’t ask for much more from most of them. They’ve all given a good shift and put in 110 per cent.

“Unfortunately as we knew from the start Poole are excellent, they’re a brilliant team and they’re not where they are for nothing.

“I think we caused them a few little heartaches at times, and the palpitations were going, so we can hold our heads up high and have given them a really good battle.”

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Photo credit: TAYLOR LANNING