ADVANTAGE PIRATES IN CUP SEMI

POOLE fought back from a narrow deficit to build a 52-38 advantage over Glasgow at the halfway stage of their MAXiCab KO Cup semi-final.

After seven races at Wimborne Road the Tigers led 22-20, but the Pirates took the second half of the meeting by a 16-point margin, meaning 14 is their margin to take to Scotland a week on Sunday (September 7).

The Pirates secured two vital 5-1s in the last two races to extend their lead, with Zach Cook and Paul Starke combining in Heat 14 after Leon Flint had crashed out, whilst captain Cook was involved again in Heat 15, this time with Richard Lawson as they overcame Kyle Howarth and Chris Harris.

Lawson raced to his fifth home maximum of the season, going through the card with 15, whilst Cook added 12+1. Harris was top scorer for the Tigers with 10.

Said Lawson: “I had to do it the hard way tonight. But when you come to these semi-finals and finals you’ve really got to work hard.

“Tonight, I hit the ground, I didn’t make starts, I did make starts. It kind of had all sorts, but I was just glad we came through it as a team.

“Fair play to Zach in Heat 15. I was checking on his whereabouts and that was probably one of the best rides I have seen him do this season. When you’ve got both Bomber (Harris) and Howarth right behind you it is not easy.”

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Photo credit: LIAM COCKWELL