MIDDLO PRAISE FOR PIRATES STARS

POOLE manager Neil Middleditch paid tribute to title-winning heroes Richard Lawson and Zach Cook after the dramatic events of last Friday at Glasgow.

The Pirates saw their 12-point first leg lead whittled away in a thrilling Cab Direct Championship Grand Final, with the teams completing the tie level after the 30 regular races.

But Lawson and Cook stepped up in a Super Heat to get the better of home duo Chris Harris and Kyle Howarth, which was a first defeat of the night for Harris – and it sealed a fourth league title in five years for the Dorset side, who could complete another Treble this Wednesday.

Middleditch said: “Just unbelievable. I’ve been in a lot of Finals, believe me I’ve been in a lot of Finals, but that one was tense there.

“I was worried about my heart for those last four laps, but it was just fantastic.

“Zach and Richard are just phenomenal. When you ask them to put it on the line, they put everything on the line.

“I’m so proud of them, and pleased to get trophy number 33 and a 12th  league title.”

Photo credit: TAYLOR LANNING