REACTION: PIRATES RESPOND TO MIDDLO'S CALL TO DIG IN

An inspired three ride spell of paid eight by Poole reserve Kyle Newman saw the Wessex Marine Pirates turnover an eight point deficit to lead by two, before conceding a 5-1 in the final race to conclude the first leg of their Knockout cup semi final.

Team manager Neil Middleditch proclaimed "we had our backs to the wall there at one stage but the boys dug in and turned things around nicely.  We had a team talk at the interval and I said I was not happy being eight down. I could take a six point loss but I wouldn’t be happy. The boys responded in some tough heats so a two point loss I gotta say I am pretty happy with, but there is still work to do. It was Pirate Pride of the finest and dear old Kyle really starred over the last third of the meeting. I worked him

Newman who had scored five points in his first three rides, including a heat two win, was drafted in to replace Anders Rowe in heat eleven with the Pirates trailing 34-26. Although both Newman and Steve Worrall gated well, neither had any answers to the speed of the passing Scott Nicholls but were able to share the heat. Immediately out again in twelve, both Newman and Ben Cook were fast enough and skill sufficient to hold back Lewis Kerr to give Poole their second heat advantage of the meeting.

After Worrall and Richard Lawson secured a 4-2, denting Nicholls a maximum in heat thirteen, Newman was out again, taking Adam Roynon's billed ride on this occasion. Pairing up this time with Zach Cook, Newman played a starring role in putting Poole ahead on the night as he deflected every move, of which there were plenty, that Jordan Jenkins threw at him. 

Oxford, through Masters and Nicholls storming to a 5-1, gave themselves something to defend in Wednesday's second leg at Wimborne Road, albeit just two points.

Scorers
OXFORD 46 -  Scott Nicholls 14 (3,3,3,2,3), Sam Masters 9+2 (3,1',3,0,2'), Lewis Kerr 7+1 (1,2',3,1), Cameron Heeps 7 (1,2,3,1), Jordan Jenkins 6+1 (0,3,2',1), Ryan Kinsley 2 (2,0,0,0), Henry Atkins 1+1 (1',0,0,0)

POOLE  44 - Kyle Newman 11+2 (3,0,2,RS,2,2',2'), Ben Cook 9+1 (2',2,2,3,0), Steve Worrall 8+1 (2,1,1',3,1), Zach Cook 7+1 (3,1',0,3), Richard Lawson 7 (2,3,1,1), Adam Roynon 1+1 (F,1',RS,R,RS), Anders Rowe 1+1 (0,0,1',RS)
 

Full heat details and report