REACTION: BIG WINNING PIRATES HEADING TOWARDS THE TREBLE

17/10/24

The Poole 'Wessex Marine' Pirates recorded the highest away score of any visiting Championship team to Sandy Lane since the Cheetahs returned to British speedway in 2022, putting themselves firmly in control to secure the third leg of the 2024 Treble.

Having seen his side post a 57-33 victory against an injury-ravaged Cheetahs side, Poole team manager Neil Middleditch declared his immediate thoughts were with Scott Nicholls, who crashed out of the meeting in heat three with a shoulder injury. "For sure it was a good win for us but I can't stop thinking about Scotty who is good friend of mine and seeing him suffer that injury wasn't a great sight to be honest and I just want to wish him a speedy recovery. But, we had a job to do tonight and the boys went out there and put on a great show,. We had two great performances from our two reserves and I can't tell you how pleased Toby (Tobias Thomsen) was to beat Sam Masters when they met. It certainly is ours to lose now and whilst I don't think the same level of tension will be there on Wednesday when we complete the season I am sure Oxford will still be looking to make us work for it."

That crash for Nicholls saw him collect Tom Brennan on his way into the air barrier after he lifted just at the wrong time and whilst both riders walked away from the incident, Nicholls had popped his shoulder out and needed a hospital visit, ruling himself out of the remainder of the meeting.

But Poole refused to show any mercy and with Vinnie Foord featuring in three 5-1 heat advantages ,that took him into his final heat seeking a paid maximum, and fellow reserve Tobias Thomsen unbeaten with three outright wins by heat eight, Poole had the greater resources and scoring power.

Thomsen was pleased with his personal performance, finishing with paid 12 claiming "I was happy with the way things went, not just for me but the whole team. We seemed to hit the ground running with me and my mates. We found something that worked. It will be great to complete the treble on my return to British speedway, It has been a good season overall for me, It started well and I know I dipped a bit in the middle but I have picked up again towards the end. I must say that the management have been really great and helped me to rediscover the form. I have really enjoyed riding for Poole this year and we now have just one more meeting to go and hopefully we can all go out and enjoy it."

Modest Vinnie Foord said "it wasn't a bad night for me but then I went out and messed up the start in heat fourteen, All sorts of things were going through my head as I was at the tapes, But even though I am only a number seven and still fresh to the league, I didn't want to go and let anyone down . I must say the atmosphere has been great and that is down to the supporters who have all been fantastic and that includes the Oxford fans, It will be nice to finish the job on Wednesday and get the treble."

OXFORD 33 Cameron Heeps 11+1 (3,1',2,3,1,1) Sam Masters 8 (3,2,3,R,0)
Dan Gilkes 6+2 (2',2,1,0,1') Jack Smith 4 (F,0,2,2) Ashton Boughen 2+1 (R,0,1,N2,1') Connor Coles 2 (1,1,0,0,0) Scott Nicholls 0 (FD,NS,NS,NS) ,
POOLE 57 Richard Lawson 14 (2,3,3,3,3) Tom Brennan 11+2 (3,1,3,2',2') Tobias Thomsen 11+1 (3,3,3,1,1') Zach Cook 7+2 (1,2',1',3) Ben Cook 7 (0,3,2,2) Vinnie Foord 6+3 (2',2',2',0) Sam Hagon 1+1 (1',0,RS,0)

Photo credit Steve Edmunds

Latest news Read all news

16/10/24

POSTPONED | CUP FINAL HOME LEG RAINED OFF AND D...

The scheduled first leg of the 2024 SGB Cab Direct Championship Knockout Cup Final to be raced at Wimborne Road tonight (16th October) has fallen v...