PIRATES STAY IN TOUCH
POOLE boss Neil Middleditch says the Cab Direct Championship is still all to fight for despite a 14-point defeat in the first leg of the Grand Final at Glasgow.
Halfway through the meeting at Ashfield the Pirates looked set to be facing a larger deficit as they trailed 33-15 before getting to grips with conditions.
It means they need to score 53 points in the return fixture on Wednesday to take the title – a target they have achieved in five of the Tigers’ previous six visits to Wimborne Road.
Middleditch said: “It’s a big advantage that they have, but I don’t believe it is insurmountable.
“It was looking a bit grim early doors I will admit, but the boys dug in and managed to get it back to 14.
“They all did their best, Glasgow came out fighting real strong, and a few things didn’t quite go our way.
“But this is a Grand Final between two good sides and there is still a long way to go. We might be down, but we are far from out.”
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Photo credit: IAN ADAM