Christmas Cookie Gift

24/12/22

Popular Aussie brothers, Ben and Zach Cook, will both be back to help the Pirates fight for a hat-trick of successive league titles.

For 25 year old Ben, it will be a third straight campaign with the club, whilst brother Zach (23) embarks on his second outright season in Poole colours, although both featured prominently in the last two Grand Finals that have seen the Pirates sweep the board since the club stepped back to the SGB Championship as Zach deputised for the injured Stefan Nielsen.

Over the course of the last seven meetings in the Pirates' double winning 2022 season the brothers rode together in heat eight and recorded crucial maximum heat scores from five of those, and with the plan is to partner them together at number three and four

Confirming their return, Poole boss Dan Ford said, "I think that Poole fans will enjoy this Christmas present of an announcement. These lads have really warmed themselves to the Poole faithful because of their effort and noticeable commitment to the club. I think it became obvious from the middle of the season that we would need to find a way to build a team around them and if they both continue to develop at the rate we have seen then they will once again be extremely vital cogs in the engine room of the side.

Speaking from his native Australia, Zach, who will assume the number four race jacket on his average of 4.92 admits "I am really happy to be back at Poole for 2023. I really enjoyed my time this season winning both the trophies and it couldn't have gone any better as that is what we race all season for and we did it. I am sure all the boys will be eager to do the same next year and get the double again. I can't wait to get back over to England in March and get the season underway."

Ben slots into the side with his 6.09 average and with the Pirates having now revealed more than half their side for 2023 with the Cook boys joining skipper Steve Worrall and new recruit Jack Thomas, they are left with three positions to fill and have a maximum of 16.16 points to utilise.