Edinburgh Monarchs v Poole Pirates

DEFENDING champions Poole are through to yet another Cab Direct Grand Final after an emphatic semi-final victory over Edinburgh.

The Pirates have reached the league decider every season since joining the second tier in 2021, winning it in four of their five appearances so far.

They took a 24-point lead to Armadale for Friday’s second leg and wrapped up their Final progression as early as Heat 10 when second place for Lewis Kerr ensured they could not be caught on aggregate.

The meeting proceeded for two more races before being abandoned with rain moving in, a halt being called after the first attempt to run Heat 13 with the Pirates 39-33 up on the night.

Reserve Kyle Newman starred with 11+3 and Richard Lawson scored 8+3, although Slater Ligthcap was withdrawn with a hand injury after a Heat 6 crash. Kye Thomson led the Monarchs’ scoring with eight.

Pirates co-boss Gary Havelock said: “Marvellous, absolutely thoroughly professional. Superb, excellent job. I can’t find enough superlatives to talk about the boys.

“We could have easily come into this meeting underestimating things, but we didn’t. We attacked it from the start. I think the 5-1 in Heat 2 was massive, absolutely massive. So, another Final – fantastic.”

Monarchs star Dan Thompson said: “We’re trying to stay positive but we have to be realistic, what we did on Wednesday wasn’t good enough. Our home track advantage today was very minimal in the conditions with just one line and you had to be a bit careful.

“I think we’ve done better this year than people thought but meeting Poole in the semi was tough. I’ve really enjoyed this year it’s such a fun little track and everyone’s been so kind to me.”

CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF, SEMI-FINAL, 2ND LEG
EDINBURGH 33: Justin Sedgmen 9, Kye Thomson 8, Dan Thompson 6,Jonatan Grahn 5+1, Paco Castagna 2+1, Jordy Loftus 2, Mitchell Cluff 1.
POOLE 39: Kyle Newman 11+3, Richard Lawson 8, Lewis Kerr 7, Zach Cook 5, Will Cairns 3+1, Slater Lightcap 3, Cooper Rushen 2+1.
Abandoned after Heat 12 (rain). Result stands.
Poole win 96-66 on aggregate.

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Photo credit: JACK CUPIDO