Poole Pirates v Edinburgh Monarchs

POOLE sailed into another BSN Series Final with two riders unbeaten in an emphatic 60-30 win over Edinburgh at Wimborne Road.

The Pirates went ahead on aggregate in Heat 2 and mathematically secured their progression with three races remaining, pushing on to reach the 60-point mark with wins in all but two heats.

No.1 Richard Lawson scored a five-ride paid maximum with 14+1 whilst Kyle Newman’s first match at reserve saw him also unbeaten with 9+3 from four outings for his first full house since September 2023.

Lewis Kerr added 14 for the Pirates, who will face either Berwick or Redcar in the Final, whilst back-from-injury Dan Thompson top-scored for the Monarchs with 9+1.

Newman said: “That’s my first one for a while, so a good night for me and a good night for the team. Everybody was flying, so onwards and upwards.

“To be honest, the number on my back doesn’t really bother me. It is what’s on your chest that is important when you are riding for this club. You know you have to stand up and deliver.”

Stand-in Monarchs boss Gordon Campbell said: “The Pirates got away from us early on and that was decisive. We battled to stem the flow but it was an uphill struggle.

“If we can take one positive from tonight it was the return of Dan Thompson who came back well on a track that thoroughly tested his collarbone.

“Poole are a tough nut to crack, but it is one we must crack to have success this season. We will learn from tonight and ensure that we come back stronger here next time.”

BSN SERIES SEMI-FINAL, 2nd leg
POOLE 60: Richard Lawson 14+1, Lewis Kerr 14, Kyle Newman 9+3, Zach Cook 8, Cooper Rushen 7+2, Will Cairns 6+2, Fraser Bowes 2
EDINBURGH 30: Dan Thompson 9+1, Justin Sedgmen 6, Kye Thomson 5+1, Jonatan Grahn 4+2, Jordy Loftus 4, Joe Thompson 1, Mitchell Cluff 1
Poole win 104-76 on aggregate

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Photo credit: TONY HARTMAN