Ford: Grajczonek is coming of age in front of Pirates supporters

Danny Ford believes Josh Grajczonek is coming of age in the No1 Carpet Cleaning Poole Pirates race jacket.

Ford watched captain Grajczonek lead from the front with 11+2 as the Pirates secured three points away from home in a narrow 46-44 win at Wolverhampton last night.

The victory propelled the Pirates up to third in the SGB Premiership and inflicted a second successive home defeat on the Wolves.

Reserve Nico Covatti also piled plenty of misery on the home side, bagging 9+1, while Nicolai Klindt continued his fine recent form with paid nine.

But it was Grajczonek who stole the headlines, sealing a crucial second place to split Sam Masters and Rory Schlein in heat 15 when a 5-1 would have secured the Wolves a draw.

Ford said: “Josh has been superb this season and has turned in a host of captain’s performances when we’ve really needed him.

“It’s no surprise to the promoters as we’ve always believed in Josh, but I think the supporters are now seeing the best of him and are seeing a rider come of age in front of their eyes.

“It was a tremendous team effort at Monmore Green. I felt we could get something there and the boys really responded from one to seven.

“We’re moving in the right direction ahead of a tough meeting at home to Belle Vue on Thursday so our aim now is to build some more momentum and really make teams fear facing us.”

Jack Holder shook off any injury fears after his spill at home to the Wolves a week ago by scoring seven in the Midlands, while Brady Kurtz (4), Richie Worrall (4) and Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen (3+1) also chipped in with vital points.

Full report from Monmore Green here.

Picture: Taylor Lanning.