PIRATES DOMINATE HOME OPENER

POOLE eased to a 58-32 win over Plymouth in their BSN Series home opener with skipper Zach Cook scoring a paid maximum at Wimborne Road.

Gladiators reserves Lasse Fredriksen and Ben Trigger gave their side an early lead with a 5-1 in Heat 2, but the Pirates quickly took control and raced to seven 5-1s of their own from Heat 6 onwards.

Cook scored 14+1 whilst Richard Lawson (12+2) dropped his only point to Nicolai Klindt in the opening race, and Lewis Kerr collected ten from four rides. Klindt led the Plymouth resistance with 12 from six.

Pirates boss Neil Middleditch said: “In the first seven heats it was nip and tuck but then the boys stretched their legs a little bit, and I was pleased with the final result.

“Zach really has stepped up, and it’s good to see. He’s leading by example, making good starts and riding really well.”

Gladiators manager Garry May said: “From Heat 8 onwards Poole just stepped up a gear, and I was carrying too many riders in the end.

“But that’s life, we’ll come back again, we’ve got them on Saturday (at home) and we’ll have another go.”

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Photo credit: TONY HARTMAN