Rain Ruins Gold Coast Meet - Rain on the Gold Coast, Australia brought a premature end to the Dave Booth Memorial Meeting in which new Poole asset James Holder, elder sibling of the sensational Chris, was appearing. Being helped pit-side by brother Chris, 22 year old James was ivolved in a heat 4 crash with Michael Penfold that brought about the abandonment of the meeting due to the adverse weather conditions. Neither rider was injured in the crash but the decision to to stop the meeting was justified as the weather worsened.
It was a frustration for the organisers who had seen the Junior event completed in sunshine but between the meetings a deluge of rain necessitated a twenty minute delay to restore track conditions, with lightening flashes following.
James Holder finished second to Darcy Ward in the opening heat before being involved in that heat four incident.
news feed courtesy of Gavin Elmes

Tough decisions needed at conference - Poole co-promoter Giles Hartwell, who joined the promotional team at Wimborne Road at the beginning of the Pirates highly successful 2008 campaign, is preparing for his first annual BSPA conference next week knowing that is will be a period of "tough decisions".
Speaking after a pre-conference BSPA meeting Hartwell endorsed the words of BSPA chairman Peter Toogood that "British speedway needed to face up to the fact that radical decisions would be needed to ensure that all clubs could afford to come to the tapes in 2009".
With the corkscrew effect of the global economy looking to bite hard by the time the 2009 season comes around,collectively British promoters know that they can not sustain the financial losses that occurred during the past season.
Giles added "Poole are probably the best supported club in the country and we had a highly successful season this year but operationally it was a tough year for the club. Had it not been for the valued support of our sponsors then we would have made a very hefty loss. Looking ahead, we know we will not be immune from the effect of the credit crunch and recognise that sponsorship sums will be far harder to come by as the nation begins to tighten its belt. That means that our sponsorship revenues could be hit and there is sure to be some fall-out in our gate receipts. That is a reality, not only facing Poole Speedway but the whole of British speedway which is why we all need to work together to find the best solution for the survival of the sport." The BSPA annual conference begins on 13th November.

'Trick'..a Treat! - Six times World Champion Tony Rickardsson has come out tops in the www.poolespeedway.net all-time rider survey. The Swede picked up 47% of the votes for the Best Ever Rider to wear a Poole race jacket and also topped the nominations in the All-time 1-7 category, whilst also capturing 10% of the Best Captain's votes, a category won by the legendary Craig Boyce (23%). Mark Loram was voted the Best Entertainer polling 24% of the votes,
In total 11 different riders received nominations for the Best Ever title with Malcolm Simmons and Craig Boyce level on 11% behind. All three, unsurprisingly featured in the top all-time 1-7 in which over 40 different riders were named.
For a full list of results click HERE

Dorset Double - Although the Castle Cover Pirates' Knockout cup final defeat by Eastbourne ment they missed out an making the 2008 a Double Diamond Season, it being their Diamond Jubilee year, the county of Dorset can claim two title winners following Weymouth's Conference League play-off success.
The Pirates' neighbours beat Boston in the play-off final home and away to take the title 113-68. It was a tremendous effort from the fellow South Coasters who had finished fourth in the Conference League behind table-topping Plymouth, but came strong in the play-offs.
Overall it was a good season for the South as far as speedway success was concerned with Somerset winning the Premier League Knockout Cup, Eastbourne successfully defeating Poole in the Elite league KO Cup and Plymouth winning the Conference League version.
The roll of honour for 2008 teams:
Elite League Champions: Poole
Elite League KO Cup winners: Eastbourne
Craven Shield winners Coventry
Premier League Champions: Edinburgh
Premier League KO cup winners: Somerset
Young Shield winners: Workington
Conference League Winners: Weymouth
Conference Trophy Winners: Plymouth
Conference KO Cup Winners: Plymouth

Track Shop Xmas Hours Due to a high demand for Christmas presents and gifts, the Poole Speedway track shop will be open for trading on Wednesday 3rd December from 6pm, ahead of the Rider Equipment Fund (REF) social event which is being held in the Champs Bar from 7.30pm.
The shop will also be open on the two Thursdays on the lead up to Christmas, December 11th and December 18th between the hours of 10am and 4pm.
The shop has many new lines for sale, details of which will be advertised on this website shortly.

Poole Parlour Pirates!The 2008 Elite league champions were guests of honour at the Civic Centre today in recognition of their achievements for the town. The Mayor of Poole Cllr Joyce Lavender hosted the ceremony in the Mayor's parlour and the team, promoters Matt Ford and Giles Hartwell, team manager Neil Middleditch, PR Officer Gordon Day and Managing Director of main team sponsors Castle Cover Andrew Marchington were all invited and spent over an hour in the company of the mayor.
During the gathering the Mayor presented the club with a special commemorative plaque which club owner Matt Ford accepted (for full picture gallery click here)

More Silverware for HolderThe Midas-touch season of Chris Holder continued last night (Sunday) when he scooped a bucket load of honours at the annual Diunner Dance Presentation evening
The 21 year old Castle Cover Pirate collected the "Supporters Trophy" donated to the Fastest Pirate of the The Year in addition to the "Most Entertaining Rider" award voted for through this website. He also claimed the accolade as the Poole Rider of the Year in recognition of his brilliant debut Elite league season and was even acknowledged by his peers in the best possible way by being nominated the Riders' Rider of The Year.
Magnus Zetterstrom was honoured with the PEP TALK (the club's long running Fanzine) award for the "Away Rider of the Year" whilst club skipper Bjarne Pedersen was voted Team Man of the Year, by the supporters.
In a packed Dinner Dance event the Castle Cover Pirates celebrated their 2008 Elite League success and today (Monday) they will be guests of the Mayor of Poole, Cllr Joyce Lavender, for a Civic Reception at 11.30am.

Double Dreams Plundered by Resilient Eagles
The dreams and aspirations of a third double success in six seasons was plundered from the Castle Cover Pirates by a resilient Eastbourne side that were determined to hold on to their first leg advantage in the Knockout Cup final.
That the meeting itself ever got underway was a testimony to the hard work and dedication of the Poole track staff, the efforts forcing a 45 minute delay to the second leg and the fruits of their labour were rewarded in a keenly contested meeting that produced good speedway. But the Pirates hopes of pulling back their first leg deficit were dashed as the Eagles fought hard throughout. Poole looked to be on a mission as Chris Holder and Magnus Zetterstrom made good starts in the opening heat and were holding a 5-1 when Zetterstrom was forced to pull up abruptly, turning the heat into a shared one. Davidsson, pointless in the first leg, stormed to a victory in heat 2 as Poole began to chip away at the aggregate deficit and the Swede featured again with a third place in heat 4 won by Dave Watt. But still the margin was a massive 18 points and with the Eagles providing the race winners in each of the heats between 5 and 8 the Pirates task took on even a greater dimension, as two of those heats score-wise went the way of the Eagles and at the halfway point had levelled the second leg scores at 24 a piece.
Adam Skornicki and Bjarne Pedersen re-established the lead on the day with a 4-2 over Edward Kennett and James Brundle but any further breakthrough from heat 10 was dented when Zetterstrom was baulked during the charge to the first turn and was unable to complete more than half a lap. Poole needed maximum points from the remaining rides but Nicholls split Watt and Eriksson in heat 11 to secure the cup for the Sussex side. The newly crowned cup winners then notched up a 5-1 through Lee Richardson and Simon Gustafsson over Bjarne Pedersen and Daniel Davidsson in a well-fought heat 12 which levelled the afternoon scores yet again. Eastbourne inched ahead with a heat 13 4-2 advantage but Poole through Adam Skornicki and Freddie Eriksson negated that in heat 14 meaning Nicholls' win over Holder and Watt in the final heat left the second leg scores all square and Eastbourne the aggregate winners by 22.
Scores: Poole 45 (80) C.Holder 12, D.Watt 9+1; A.Skornicki 9+1; B.Pedersen 5+1; D.Davidsson 4; M.Zetterstrom 3+1; F.Eriksson 3
Eastbourne 45(102) S.Nicholls 13; L.Richardson 11; E.Kennett 8; S.Gustafsson 5;C.Woodward 4+2; L.Bridger 4+1; J.Brundle 0.

Mammoth Task for Double Dreams - Poole Castle Cover Pirates' hopes of a Double Dream in their Diamond Jubilee season have taken on a monumental cause following their heavy 22 point first leg cup defeat at Eastbourne on Saturday night. But the 2008 Elite League champions will take heart from their recent home form that, in their four of their last 5 meetings have seen them run out winners by 23 points or greater. Add in to that the the Eagles went down by 27 points in their previous visit suggests that the destiny of the Knockout cup remains inconclusive
Clearly coming to Dorset defending such a healthy lead will certainly position the Eagles, the 2002 cup winners, as favourites to repeat their cup final triumph of 1997 when they overcame Poole by a massive aggregate 50 point when these two clubs last met in a cup final.
Weather permitting today's meeting will get underway at 3pm with the gates opening at 1pm. Every child accompanied by a paying adult will be admitted FREE.
Teams: Poole - C.Holder, M.Zetterstrom, B.Pedersen, A.Skornicki, D.Watt, F.Eriksson, D.Davidsson - Eastbourne - S.Nicholls, L.Bridger, L.Richardson, C.Woodward, E.Kennett, S.Gustafsson, J.Brundle.

Pirates in heavy defeat - An unprecedented poor gating performance from the Pirates pitted against an eager Eagles side, determined to sign off their difficult season with some silverware, saw Eastbourne crush the Castle Cover Pirates by 57-35 in the first leg of the Knockout Cup final.
Although the Pirates started sprightly enough with Magnus Zetterstrom and Chris Holder outgating Scott Nicholls and Lewis Bridger before the Eagles passed Zetterstrom to share the heat, it was one of the few times that the Pirates hit the first turn ahead of their opponents throughout the meeting. Eastbourne quickly took an early lead and in truth never looked like squandering it. The Pirates were dealt a heavy blow in heat 5 when Chris Holder produced a scintillating move up the inside of Lee Richardson as they exited the back straight which resulted in Richardson falling. To the masses of Poole fans stood on the apex of the first bend there appeared to be no contact and ample room to make the move but looking across the track referee Christina Turnbull adjudged Holder's move to have been illegal and excluded him from the re-run.
Those Poole fans were clearly hoping that the decision might stir the fires in the Pirates bellies but quite simply with Eastbourne specialist Davey Watt enduring a nightmare of a meeting mechanically and reserve Daniel Davidsson struggling to find his the Pirates, already a rider down due to Adam Skornicki's unavailability (he was obliged to ride in the Polish Golden Helmet where his 8 points saw him finish 6th) the Pirates just didnt have the wherewithall to live with the determined Eagles who must now fancy their chances of denying the Castle Cover Pirates the league and cup double in diamond year.
Scorers: Eastbourne 57 - L.Richardson 12+1; E.Kennett 12; L.Bridger 9+1; S.Gustafsson 9; C.Woodward 8+2; S.Nicholls 6+2; J.Brundle 1. Poole 35 - B.Pedersen 12; C.Holder 8; M.Zetterstrom 7+1; F.Eriksson 6+2; D.Watt 2; D.Davidsson 0 (rider replacement for A.Skornicki).

final push for double gold in diamond year -
New Sky Sports Elite Champions Poole chief Matt Ford is asking for one last push from his league-winning side as they aim to complete their third league and cup Double in six years in the mouth-watering two-legged cup final against Eastbourne this weekend.
But the Dorset side have been dealt a pre-Cup Final blow with the news that key middle-order man Adam Skornicki is out of Saturday’s first leg in Sussex after being recalled to Poland to take part in the re-arranged Golden Helmet meeting.
Ford revealed last night: “Adam is distraught and believes he is letting the club down, but he really has no say in the matter and we understand his awkward predicament. He has to race in this fixture at home which was called off last week. He has asked me to convey to all Poole fans how sorry he is he won’t be in Sussex. He says he would much prefer to be riding for the Pirates and will be thinking about the team throughout Saturday and is itching to get back to England for the second leg at home.�
Castle Cover Pirates will miss the popular Pole who is enjoying his best season in Britain for over five years. He also scored a colossal 18 (paid 19) points when the Dorset side won at Eastbourne in May.Ford added: “Adam’s contribution on and off the track has been huge and his absence will be felt by the team. But we’ll be using the rider replacement facility, which allows Magnus Zetterstrom, plus the reserves, to take his four outings.I know team manager Neil Middleditch will be getting the boys fired up to put in one last great away match for the club and for Adam in 2008 and set us up for Sunday’s final meeting of the year at Wimborne Road.�
Ford continued “There’s a terrific team spirit in the camp at the moment and I know they will be keen to rally in Adam’s absence. We also know they we are running into an Eastbourne team who are desperate to end the season with silverware, so we know it’s going to be a battle.� * IN recognition of winning the Elite League title, Castle Cover Pirates riders and management have been invited to attend a civic reception hosted by the town’s Lady Mayor, Cllr Joyce Lavender on Monday (Oct 27). The same day has been set aside as a re-staging date in the event that Sunday's second leg meeting is washed out.

MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS - Don't forget to order your DVD of the Pirates 2008 Elite League Play off final success from Re-Run videos.

DOOR NOT SHUT ON DOYLE - Poole boss Matt Ford has hit back at speculation and rumours of a rift between him and Poole asset Jason Doyle and suggested that the Australian figures amongst his options for 2009. Speaking exclusively to www.poolespeedway.net Ford said "once again I feel it frustrating that I am having to comment on things I have read on the internet which are clearly unfounded. There has been speculation about issues between myself and Jason but no-one who has seen fit to state such things on the internet has spoken to me about it. So, let me say here and now that I have spoken to Jason on about 10 occassions this season and I am unaware of any problems between the pair of us. Jason was, like a number of Poole assets, a victim of the number games for this season and we loaned him out for a season, a one-year deal, as I recognised that he firmly fits the bill of a developing rider. Letting him go for one year does not mean that there was never a way back for him at Poole, that is why we held on to him as an asset. I can categorically say that Jason is one of several riders who I would be most interested in using in 2009, but of course at this stage without the points limit having been determined it is far too early to read anything more in to it than that statement. Speedway is a numbers game and the key to successful sides is to utilise riders who have the ability to improve on their averages, in much the way that Chris (Holder) did so for us this year, but of course not necessarily always to that extent. In Jason's case his season on-loan at Somerset has been good for him and it could well have worked in his favour. We will just have to see what the decisions at the Conference bring next month. But what I will say right now is, Jason is a Poole asset and that means we have first option on him and will for sure be talking to him again. At this moment in time no other club should be talking to him under the rules of the game and, if it turns out that we will not be able to include him in our starting line-up for next season then it his highly probable that we will be looking for something much more than just a loan arrangement. But all of that is dependent as I said on how the points limit turns out and how we decide to build next year's side. Right now though our concentration is full on trying to win that KO Cup this weekend.

WILL IT BE THE DOUBLE IN THEIR DIAMOND YEAR? - Just over a week after lifting their first Elite league title in four years the Castle Cover Pirates have now turned their attentions to making their Diamond Jubilee season an even more memorable milestone as they go in search of their second major trophy of the campaign at the weekend.
On Saturday (October 25th) the Pirates journey to Eastbourne for the first leg of the KO Cup final (7.30pm) with the return being at Wimborne Road less than 24 hours later with a 3pm start on Sunday October 26th.
Completing the senior league and cup double is a major achievement and since the British leagues were majorily restructured in 1965 it has only happened 14 times so far. Only Ipswich have previously completed a treble of doubles so if the Pirates can run out aggregate winners at the weekend then they will equal the Witches achievement of 1976, 1984 and 1998, the Pirates though able to boast that acheivement all under the promotion of Matt Ford, having acclaimed their Double success 2003 and 2004.
The Pirates will though be visiting Eastbourne on Saturday without their Polish star Adam Skornicki, who has obligations to ride in the Polish Golden Helmet meeting. Originally there would have been no clash of fixture but due to the postponement of the original date of the German GP and its transfer to Poland the prestigious Golden Helmet meeting was put back a week. Skornicki is desperately unhappy about having to miss the cup final for the Pirates but his absence has been ruled a 'force majeure' and thus the Pirates have been granted use of the rider replacement facility.
Supporters are reminded that the gates will open at 1pm on Sunday for the final fare of the season at the Wave 105FM stadium and each child accompanied by a paying adult will be admitted FREE, so it is £15 for one adult plus child.
Expected teams: Poole: C.Holder, M.Zetterstrom, B.Pedersen, R/R for A.Skornicki, D.Watt, F.Eriksson, D.Davidsson
Eastbourne: S.Nicholls, L.Bridger, L.Richardson, C.Woodward, E.Kennett, S.Gustafsson, J.Brundle.

CHRIS COMPLETES TOP TREBLE - A 14+1 from 6 ride return for the sensational Chris Holder steered Unibax Torun to the Polish Championship to complete an impressive treble for the 21 year old Australian. Having already won the Swedish play-offs with his Lejonen side, and then playing a significant part in the Castle Cover Pirates Elite league championship, Holder fulfilled the incredible dream to make it gold from the three major team competitions he has ridden in. Leading from the first leg by 8 points the home side found their advantage almost whittled away inside the first three heats as Unia Leszno started strongly. But Torun fought back and really overpowered the visitors between heats 11 and 14 to ensure that Holder made it three from three in what can best be described as an unbelievable year for the youngster.

PEDERSEN AND ZORRO ON THE UP - Bjarne Pedersen may have been eliminated from the GP series for 2009 but he steered his Polish side Lotos Gdansk into the Polish Ekstraliga for next season. The Poole skipper who rides alongside Magnus Zetterstrom for Gdansk scored 11 points on Sunday including the third place point in heat 13 that confirmed Gdansk's aggregate victory over Marma Polskie Folie Rzeszow, for whom his fellow Pirate Dave Watt has been riding for this season. Marma Polskie Folie Rzeszow proved to be 47:45 winners on the day but Gdansk claimed the 99-84 aggregate victory that earns them promotion. Pedersen scored 11+2 from his 5 rides, including a doubled-up second place from heat 8, whilst Zetterstrom scored paid 12 from 5. Dave Watt notched up paid 11 dropping his only point to an opponent when Zetterstrom beat him in heat 12.

NICKI PEDERSEN WINS THIRD WORLD TITLE -Nicki Pedersen needed just two rides to secure his third world title that he has been seeking all season. When Jason Crump ran a surprise last place in heat 5 the mathematics of the championship were simple - Nicki Pedersen needed just one more race win, to go with the 3 points he claimed for winning heat 2, or three more points across his remaining four rides. Pedersen opted to wrap the championship up early and pulled clear of Rune Holta and Bjarne Pedersen two of the riders fighting for their GP survival.
The Poole skipper's hopes of retaining a place in the GP competition were hampered by his hat-trick of third places which were of no true benefit to him as he needed to close a 7 point gap. With no further return from his remaining two rides Bjarne bowed out of the GP entourage with two last places.
The drama of the final round saw Tomasz Gollob win the round, which gave him overall third place and also provided a route to the Super Prix for the newly crowned World Champion Nicki Pedersen as Gollob was a second time around Super Prix event winner. But an anticipation at the start of the Big Money heat saw Pedersen roll into the tapes and was excluded. In the re-run Jason Crump put early pressure on the fast starting Gollob but the Pole, boosted by a packed home crowd went on to make it a double victory on a night where he was always strongly fancied to clean up.
The delayed staging of the final GP of the season could prove to have implications for the Castle Cover Pirates' KO cup assault. The re-arrangement forced the postponement of this weekend's scheduled Polish Golden Helmet in which Polish champion Adam Skornicki was a due starter. The Golden Helmet has now been postponed until next Saturday (25th October) the same night as the Pirates are engaged at Eastbourne in the first leg of the Cup Final
2008 GP Final Positions (with Final GP scores in brackets) 1. N.Pedersen 174 (13); 2. J.Crump 152 (9); 3. T.Gollob 148 (21); 4. G.Hancock 144 (15); 5. H.Andersen 140 (17); 6. L.Adams 125 (15); 7. A.Jonsson 100 (12); 8. R.Holta 80 (7); 9. S.Nicholls 77 (7); 10. F.Lindgren 73 (9); 11. B.Pedersen 69 (3); 12. N.Iversen 59 (DNR); 13. C.Harris 58 (4); 14. K.Kasprzak 57 (5); 15. L.Dryml 47 (8).

NEW CHAMPS NEW YEAR - In another ground-breaking venture for the brand new Sky Sports Elite League champions Poole, co-promoter Matt Ford last night confirmed that the club will be the first British speedway venue to stage racing in 2009 ... on Sunday, January 4 at 3pm. Ford has attained the off-season licence for one year only from the British Speedway Promoters’ Association, who had previously seen Newport stage the event in the past. Sadly the Welsh club was forced to close after the sad death of owner Tim Stone earlier this year. Castle Cover Pirates supremo Ford, still on cloud nine after the team wrapped up the league title in sensational style with a 27-point second leg win in the Elite League Grand Final 72 hours ago, revealed: "I am pleased to announce that the next two meetings at Poole will be on two Sunday dates at 3pm - October 26 and January 4. "I'm absolutely thrilled that the Association have ratified that Poole stage the New Year meeting after I applied in the summer. "It's going to be difficult but I want to keep up the high standards that Tim (Stone) has provided at Newport I recent years. He was one of the sport's decent promoters and is desperately missed by us all. "The actual premise of the event in January is in its infancy, but I am hoping to bring together a Champion of Champions individual which will involve as many of the sport's current national champions as possible, the European Champ, World U21 champ, etc. Unfortunately it will not involve the Aussie national champion, Chris Holder, who will be at home Down Under and enjoying a well-deserved break. "But I believe it can incorporate a wonderful array of track talent worldwide. I'm confident the New Year meeting legacy that Tim left will be as strong as ever in its switch to Dorset." Ford was also keen to point out that the meeting at Poole is only a one year arrangement and open for other clubs in 2010. "After such a successful Diamond 60-Year Jubilee Year in 2008 - and with the Elite Knock Out Cup Final, second leg at Poole on Sunday week still to come - I am especially keen to give Poole fans another first at the start of next year. "But I certainly have no intention of monopolising this event. There's only one close season licence and I count myself very fortunate that we have it in 2009. To my mind, this is one of British speedway's crown jewel events in the calendar. But I don't have a divine right to stage it every year. "I'm going to give it my best shot in January. On Sunday week, I will be able to tell our fantastic supporters that they won't have to wait five months for the smell of methanol and noise of the 500cc machines, but just eight weeks this time!" Poole Speedway have also announced that children will be admitted FREE for Castle Cover Pirates' KO Cup Final on Sunday week provided they are accompanied by a paying adult (on a one adult admission, one child free basis). Explaining the decision, Ford said: "After last Monday's packed house for our league win, I want as many kids to jump on the bandwagon and join in the celebrations in this great year for the team. "Sunday week is another huge meeting for the club and the town as we go for a third league and cup Double in five years against Eastbourne. "If we can double the amount of children in the Stadium on October 26 it will add to a real carnival atmosphere. I want the fans of tomorrow to enjoy this season as much everyone else. Here's an opportunity for them not to miss out."

MARK LEMON TESTIMONIAL DINNER - Poole Castle Cover Pirates' number 8, Australian Mark Lemon will be holding his pre Testimonial Dinner on the 8th November 2008 at the Oak Tree Restaurant, Edithmead. Somerset at 7pm for a 7.30 start, with the kind permission of Debbie Hancock.
Many of Mark's friends and fellow riders will be joining him for the celebrations, with the guest speaker being fellow Australian and former World Speedway Champion Jason Crump, whose Father Phil will also be in attendance.
The three course meal will be followed by speeches, and a Disco will round off the entertainment for the evening. Tickets are available at £30 per head, so please contact Di Phillips on 07879 018383 or Mike Spearpoint on 07515 062880 to join in celebrating Mark's service to British Speedway

CUP FINAL OFFER - 2008 Elite League champions Poole Castle Cover Pirates are offering special admission to youngsters for their final meeting of the season. For every child accompanied by a paying adult admission will be FREE. Adult prices will be held at the normal rates of £15. Poole boss Matt Ford said "Our meeting on Sunday October 26th could be a precious occassion as we look to complete the league and cup Double in our Diamond Jubilee year. With it being a 3pm start we are hoping as many families can come along for a nice afternoon out and hopefully we can give the kids something to remember for the rest of their lives - they were there when the Pirates claimed the DOUBLE DIAMOND. The atmosphere generated on Monday night at Wimborne Road was simply electric and certainly was a major factor in inspiring the riders to that awesome performance. If we can replicate that atmosphere again on the 26th then I am sure our riders will be well up to perform with the same passion as they displayed in the play-off finals, and indeed have done all season. It would be the icing on the cake if we could be sign off this campaign in the best possible way. It has been a great time to be involved with the Pirates and we have some more fantastic news to follow too".

FORD SO PROUD Poole club owner and promoter Matt Ford insists that he was still right to be cautious during the build up to the Pirates penultimate home match of the season despite the manner in which they secured their first league title for four years. The Castle Cover Pirates demolished Lakeside Hammers, 60-33, in the Elite League Grand Final with the meeting virtually won over the first five heats but a proud Matt Ford said "Once again the lads delivered just what we asked for them. It is very dangerous in sport to take anything for granted and although we held the advantage from the first leg which made Lakeside's task something of a major challenge the last thing we wanted creeping into the club was complacency. We told the lads that we wanted them to treat this as a one-off fixture, there were 15 heats to be won and we wanted to strike from the off. And boy oh boy did they do that! It was an awesome performance from the team, from one to seven they rose to the task delivered the goods and made us champions. I am so proud of them, each and every one of them have done their jobs superbly this season and as a promoter I cannot ask any more than that It is an absolute heartache that there could be three of four of these lads who we won't be able to include in our line-up next season, I just hope they all realise just how proud we as a club are of them."
Ford had seen his side virtually strip the heart out of the Lakeside Hammers although the visitors did to their extreme credit keep battling throughout with spirited performances from Jonas Davidsson, Tomasz Jedrzejak and guest Scott Nicholls. But the all round strength and determination of the Castle Cover Pirates left the visitors little option in making any in-roads into the first leg defeat. Led superbly by skipper Bjarne Pedersen, who scored a splendid paid maximum before lifting the precious trophy high above his head to celebrate an 8th piece of silverware with the club, the Pirates recorded 11 heat advantages and over the 15 heats registered just two last places.

CHAMPIONS! The Poole Castle Cover Pirates did a thoroughly professional job on securing their first league title for 4 years hitting the 60 point barrier for only the second time this season at Wimborne Road. Poole wasted no time in making their mark on the meeting claiming heat advantages in the first six heats, four of which were maximum 5-1'.
Lakeside responded with an 8-1 in heat 6 but it was nothing more than a token gesture as the Pirates were hungry for the title and to secure the first leg of what could be a Double Diamond celebration.

Scorers: Poole 60 - B.Pedersen 14+1 (paid Max); C.Holder 12; D.Davidsson 10+3; M.Zetterstrom 8+2; D.Watt 8; F.Eriksson 4+3; A.Skornicki 4
Lakeside 33 S.Nicholls 11; J.Davidsson 11; T.Jedrzejak 6+1; K.Jablonski 4; L.Lanham 1; R.Kling 0.