Newcastle Diamonds v Poole Pirates

Report

POOLE topped the 60-point mark away from home for the first time in a decade with a 61-29 demolition of Newcastle at Brough Park.

The Pirates raced up to second place in the Championship table with twelve race wins a dominant display in the North-East.

Heat-leaders Steve Worrall (14), Danny King (11) and Rory Schlein (9+2) all dropped just one point to the opposition, whilst Connor Mountain topped the Diamonds’ scoring with 6+1.

Poole co-promoter Danny Ford said: “It was a clinical performance to be proud of. We had good contributions all round and our guests Alfie (Bowtell) and Zach (Cook) both did a good job for us.

“For once it was nice to be able to enjoy the last few heats of a meeting knowing that the points were coming our way.

“To move into second place is just where we are happy to be right now and we are certainly on Glasgow’s tails because we have matches in hand, most of which are home ones to allow us to close that three-point gap.”

Newcastle manager Steve Pate said: “We were thoroughly overwhelmed by the Pirates who just turned the screw hard and fast on us and we couldn’t handle it.

“We had engine failures to contend with, the cruellest denying Archie Freeman his first points of his Diamonds’ career in Heat 2 when he was well on his way to three great points.

“His time will come. However, well done to Poole who never gave us a chance.”

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Photo credit: STEVE BROCK