PIRATES WIN SOUTHERN GROUP

POOLE swept into the BSN Series semi-finals with a 59-30 win over Plymouth courtesy of a whirlwind start at Wimborne Road.

The Pirates scored maximum points in each of the first six races to hold an incredible 30-5 lead at that stage, and they had still dropped just one point after eight heats before the Gladiators at least prevented further serious damage.

There were five race wins for the visitors in the second half of the meeting which stopped any of the Pirates from going through the card, although Richard Lawson scored 14 and was only beaten by Richie Worrall in Heat 15, who picked up eight overall.

Poole boss Neil Middleditch said: “I was really surprised to be honest because Plymouth, with Kyle (Howarth), Richie, Starkie (Paul Starke) and Ben (Barker) they are all good riders, but we really hit the ground running and they just had no answers to us.
“But again, a great solid team performance from all the boys tonight.

“From one to seven everybody played their part and with this result a lot of clubs will look at this and realise they can’t take us too lightly, because we are a very good side from one to seven and that is the key.”

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Photo credit: TONY HARTMAN