REACTION: FORD GETS TO SEE THE PIRATES FULFIL THE MISSION

Poole achieved their first goal of the 2024 SGB Cab Direct Championship in securing a top spot finish after their regular league campaign.

A four point victory at Edinburgh on Friday coupled with a defeat for Oxford at Scunthorpe means that the Pirates 34 point league tally can not be bettered and so they will meet the side that eventually finishes in fourth place and have a choice of legs in the play off semi-finals.

Poole had to appoint a stand-in manager initially as Dan Ford had been delayed in traffic, only arriving just as the riders were heading out to the start for heat one. But Ford was able to see the Pirates build up a handy early lead which, in spite of a late rally by the home side, they were able to hang on to with solid contributions from big hitters Richard Lawson (11) and Tom Brennan (12+1). But there was good strength throughout the Poole side, reserves Tobias Thomsen (5) and guest Paul Starke (6+2) more than playing their part in the Pirates triumph.

Starke admitted afterwards "it was good to put the Poole race jacket back on again. I got the call to see if I would ride for Poole tonight, I was coming up this way anyway so had no doubt about doing it. It was good to score some points for Poole and help get the win that I know the team was really determined to achieve."

Ford's reaction to a hectic day was "a ten hour journey up and just getting here on time and then to see the lads get the job done, I am a lot happier now. This is a really tough place to come and we really didn't want to leave having to come to Armadale with the question mark over top spot but that is what happened and the boys delivered. It was a good performance, the meeting was kind of in our control throughout. We had a few little slip ups but I felt we always had control of the meeting for the most part so I am really encouraged. Starkey stepped in as a great guest tonight as well, and probably proved to be a match winner again. Richard and Tom have been great all year, as too has Ben. Our heat leader trio having been riding at such a high level it's been a bit scary. Obviously, we had one off-night between them this year which was our slip-up against Oxford but for the most part they have been absolutely sublime."

Poole picked up three heat advantages immediately after Richard Lawson won heat one in style and that early points build set the foundation for the Pirates, but Edinburgh did get to within two points after Ben Cook missed the time allowance ahead of heat twelve. But Lawson and Brennan lightened the pressure on the closing stages by delivering a massively important 5-1 in heat thirteen before Zach Cook sealed the deal with a superb victory in heat fourteen which made the final race a mere formality.

Poole now move on to Workington on Saturday looking to secure their place in the final of the BSN Series.

EDINBURGH 43 ,Josh Pickering 14+1 (1',3,3,3,1,3) ,Michele Castagna 9 (2,2,2,2,1) ,Drew Kemp 7 (2,1,3,1) ,Troy Batchelor 6 (2,1,3,0) ,Lasse Fredriksen 4+3 (0,1',1',2') ,Connor Coles 2 (1,0,1,TS) ,Max James 1+1 (0,0,F,1')
POOLE 47 ,Tom Brennan 12+1 (3,2,3,2',2) ,Richard Lawson 11 (3,3,2,3,R) ,Ben Cook 8 (3,3,2,N2) ,Paul Starke 6+2 (2',1,2,1',R,RS) ,Zach Cook 5+1 (XE,2',0,3) ,Tobias Thomsen 5 (3,1,0,0,1,FD) ,Sam Hagon 0 (0,0,0,RS)
 

Full Heat details and report