Poole Pirates v Berwick Bandits

POOLE hit the 60-point mark for the second home match in succession to move to within two points of the top of the Cab Direct Championship table.

Berwick were the victims on this occasion as the Pirates romped to a 60-30 victory at Wimborne Road, maintaining their unbeaten league record so far this season.

Skipper Zach Cook scored a 15-point maximum for the home side with all of their riders paid for at least seven points, and they suffered only two last places.

The main Bandits resistance came from skipper Jye Etheridge with 9+1 and Jordan Jenkins with 8+1, but the middle stages of the meeting saw them concede four 5-1s and two 4-2s in six races.

Poole manager Neil Middleditch said: “I’m delighted, I wish we could have done it in the KO Cup, but it’s nice to get a bit of revenge.

“We had strength in depth all the way through and everyone’s done a job tonight. You’ll win matches like that, and I think that was a key factor.

“We were sharp out of the starts, but Berwick are a tough side and we certainly didn’t take it for granted.”

Bandits boss Stewart Dickson said: “It was a tough night. I’m not saying I knew it was going to be this bad, but I knew it was going to be a tough night and I did say that at the start of the meeting.

“Poole have ridden very well, and when you look at the scorecharts the scores don’t lie. We haven’t performed in areas that we should be performing, but fair play to Poole and well done to them.”

CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP
POOLE 60: Zach Cook 15, Sam Masters 9+2, Will Cairns 9+2, Lewis Kerr 9, Kyle Newman 7+2, Edward Kennett 6+1, Cooper Rushen 5+3
BERWICK 30: Jye Etheridge 9+1, Jordan Jenkins 8+1, Nick Morris 5, Drew Kemp 3, Victor Palovaara 3, Jack Smith 1, Reid Battye 1

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Photo credit: TONY HARTMAN