Poole v Eastbourne (KO Cup Final Wednesday October 27th)
Poole 54 (95)
C.Holder 3,1,3,1,3=11
D.Ward 2',3,1,2',1'=9+3
B.Pedersen 2,3,2',3,2' =12+2
Rider Replacement (LM,JD,LM,DW)
D.Watt 3,3,1,0 =7
L.Madsen 3,0,0,3,3,2=11
J.Doyle 1,2',0,0,1=4+1
Eastbourne 41 (90)
M.Zagar 0,2,2,2',0 =6+1
Rider Replacement (LB,SG,JK,CW)
S.Gustafsson 3,1',1', 0,0 =5+2
C.Woodward 1,2,1,0,3=7
J.Kylmakorpi 1,2,6^,1,3,1=14
L.Bridger 1,2,2',0,4^ =9+1
R.Kling 0,0,0 =0
Referee Mr Paul Carrington
Gates 1&3 (Poole won toss);
Ht 1 C.Holder, D.Ward, R/R L.Bridger, M.Zagar 5-1 (5-1) 46 v 50 (58.8)
Ht 2 L.Madsen, L.Bridger, J.Doyle, R.Kling 4-2 (9-3) 50 v 52 (59.1)
Ht 3 S.Gustafsson, B.Pedersen, C.Woodward, R/R L,Madsen 2-4 (11-7) 52 v 56 (59.8)
Ht 4 D.Watt, J.Doyle, J.Kylmakorpi, R.Kling 5-1 (16-8) 57 v 57 (59.9)
Ht 5 B.Pedersen, M.Zagar, R/R S.Gustafsson, R/R J.Doyle 3-3 (19-11) 60 v 60 (59.7)
Ht 6 D.Ward, J.Kylmakorpi, C.Holder, R.Kling (RC) 4-2 (23-13) 64 v 62 (59.7)
Ht 7 D.Watt, C.Woodward, S.Gustafsson, L.Madsen 3-3 (26-16) 67 v 65 (59.5)
Ht 8 R/R J.Kylmakorpi (TR), L.Bridger (RC), D.Ward, J.Doyle 1-8 (27-24) 68 v 73 (59.7)
Ht 9 R/R L.Madsen, B.Pedersen, J.Kylmakorpi, L.Bridger 5-1 (32-25) 73 v 74 (59.6)
Ht 10 C.Holder, D.Ward, C.Woodward, S.Gustafsson 5-1 (37-26) 78 v 75 (59.7)
Ht 11 L.Madsen, M.Zagar, D.Watt, R/R C.Woodward 4-2 (41-28) 82 v 77 (59.5)
Ht 12 B.Pedersen, L.Bridger (TR), J.Doyle, S.Gustafsson 4-4 (45-32) 86 v 81 (60.6)
Ht 13 J.Kylmakorpi, M.Zagar, C.Holder, D.Watt 1-5 (46-37) 87 v 86 (59.5)
Ht 14 C.Woodward, L.Madsen, R/R D.Ward, L.Bridger (RC) fell disqualified 3-3 (49-40) 90 v 89 (60.8)
Ht 15 C.Holder, B.Pedersen, J.Kylmakorpi, M.Zagar 5-1 (54-41) 95 v 90 (60.4)
Scores from heats 1 to 5 Poole 19 Eastbourne 11
Scores from heats 6 to 10 Poole 18 Eastbourne 15
Scores from heats 11 to 15 Poole 17 Eastbourne 15
Poole 1&2 5 Heats
Poole 1&3 4 Heats
Poole 1&4 2 Heats
Poole 2&3 1 Heats
Poole 2&4 1 Heats
Poole 3&4 2 Heats
Eastbourne v Poole (KO Cup Final Sunday October 24th)
Eastbourne 49
M.Zagar R,3,3,3,2=11
Rider Replacement (LB,SG,CW,JK)
S.Gustafsson 3,2',0,1',1=7+2
C.Woodward 2',3,F,2,2'=9+2
J.Kylmakorpi R,3,2',3,2',0=10+2
L.Bridger 1,3,2,0,3=9
R.Kling 0,1,2',0=3+1
Poole 41
C.Holder 3,1,2,1,3=10
D.Ward 2',0,3,1'=6+2
B.Pedersen R,1,1,2'=4+1
A.Mroczka 1,FD,0=1
D.Watt 3,2,3,0,1=9
L.Madsen 2,1',R,3=6+1
J.Doyle 1',2',1,F,1=5+2
Referee Mr Phil Griffin
Gates 1&3 (Poole won toss); 2&4 (Eastbourne won toss);
1. Holder, Ward, Bridger, Zagar (rtd) 1-5 1-5 (56.4)
2. Bridger, Madsen, Doyle, Kling 3-3 4-8 (56.9)
3. Gustafsson, Woodward, Mroczka, Pedersen (rtd) 5-1 9-9 (57.2)
4. Watt, Doyle,Kling Kylmakorpi (rtd) 1-5 10-14 (56.7)
5. Woodward, Gustafsson, Holder, Ward 5-1 15-15 (56.5)
6. Zagar, Watt, Madsen, Gustafsson 3-3 18-18 (56.3)
7.Kylmakorpi, Kling, Pedersen, Mroczka (fell disqualified) 5-1 23-19 (56.9)
8. Ward, Bridger, Doyle, Woodward (fell) 2-4 25-23 (57.7)
9. Watt, Woodward, Gustafsson, Madsen (rtd) 3-3 28-26 (56.7)
10. Zagar, Kylmakorpi, Pedersen, Doyle (fell) 5-1 33-27 (56.3)
11.Kylmakorpi, Holder, Ward, Bridger 3-3 36-30 (56.7)
12. Madsen, Pedersen, Gustafsson, Kling 1-5 37-35 (57.8)
13. Zagar, Kylmakorpi, Holder, Watt 5-1 42-36 (56.5)
14.Bridger, Woodward, Doyle, Mroczka 5-1 47-37 (57.4)
15 Holder, Zagar, Watt, Kylmakorpi 2-4 49-41 (56.6)
Scores from heats 1 to 5
Eastbourne 15 Poole 15
Scores from heats 6 to 10
Eastbourne 18 Poole 12
Scores from heats 11 to 15
Eastbourne 16 Poole 14
Poole 1&2 3 Heats
Poole 1&3 2 Heats
Poole 1&4 1 Heats
Poole 2&3 3 Heats
Poole 2&4 0 Heats
Poole 3&4 6 Heats
Poole v Peterborough (KO Cup S/F( Wednesday October 13th)
Poole 58
C.Holder 2,1,3,2 =8
D.Ward 1',3,3,2',0 =9+2
B.Pedersen 3,3,3,2',1 =12+1
A.Mroczka 1,1,1,1 =4
D.Watt 3,3,3,0 =9
L.Madsen 3,0,1,3 =7
J.Doyle 2',2',2',3 =9+3
Peterborough 36
K.Bjerre 3,4^,2,3,3 =15
K.Buczkowski 0,0,1,0=1
R.Schlein 2,4^,1,1 =8
N.Iversen FD,1',0,2 =3+1
T.Batchelor 0,2,2,1,2' =7+1
C.Cook 0,0,0,0 =0
N.Kosciuch 1,1,0,0 =2
Referee: Mr Mick Posselwhite
Gates 1&3 (Poole won toss); 1&3 (Poole won toss);
Ht 1 K.Bjerre, C.Holder, D.Ward, K.Buczkowski 3-3 (3-3) (60.86)
Ht 2 L.Madsen, J.Doyle, N.Kosciuch, C.Cook 5-1 (8-4) (60.72)
Ht 3 B.Pedersen, R.Schlein, A.Mroczka, N.Iversen (fell disqualified) 4-2 (12-6) 62 v 49 (59.47)
Ht 4 D.Watt, J.Doyle, N.Kosciuch, T.Batchelor 5-1 (17-7) 67 v 50 (60.30)
Ht 5 B.Pedersen, K.Bjerre (TR), A.Mroczka, K.Buczkowski 4-4 (21-11) 71 v 54 (59.96)
Ht 6 D.Ward, T.Batchelor, C.Holder, C.Cook 4-2 (25-13) 75 v 56 (60.12)
Ht 7 D.Watt, R.Schlein (TR), N.Iversen, L.Madsen 3-5 (28-18) 78 v 61 (59.84)
Ht 8 D.Ward, J.Doyle, K.Buczkowski, N.Kosciuch 5-1 (33-19) 83 v 62 (60.62)
Ht 9 B.Pedersen, T.Batchelor, A.Mroczka, C.Cook 4-2 (37-21) 87 v 64 (60.47)
Ht 10 C.Holder, D.Ward, R.Schlein, N.Iversen 5-1 (42-22) 92 v 65 (60.67)
Ht 11 D.Watt, K.Bjerre, L.Madsen, K.Buczkowski 4-2 (46-24) 96 v 67 (60.52)
Ht 12 J.Doyle, B.Pedersen, R.Schlein, C.Cook 5-1 (51-25) 101 v 68 (60.45)
Ht 13 K.Bjerre, C.Holder, T.Batchelor, D.Watt 2-4 (53-29) 103 v 72 (60.24)
Ht 14 L.Madsen, N.Iversen, A.Mroczka, N.Kosciuch 4-2 (57-31) 107 v 74 (60.69)
Ht 15 K.Bjerre, T.Batchelor, B.Pedersen, D.Ward 1-5 (58-36) 108 v 79 (60.94)
Scores from heats 1-5 Poole 21 Peterborough 11
Scores from heats 6-10 Poole 21 Peterborough 11
Scores from heats 11-15 Poole 16 Peterborough 14
Poole 1&2 5 heats
Poole 1&3 6 heats
Poole 1&4 1 heats
Poole 2&3 1 heats
Poole 2&4 1 heats
Poole 3&4 1 heats
Peterborough v Poole (KO Cup S/F( Monday October 11th)
Peterborough 43
K.Bjerre 3,3,0,1^,3 =10
K.Buczkowski 1,0,3,2=6
R.Schlein 1,3,0,1=5
N.Iversen 0,0,3,6^,2' =11+1
T.Batchelor 2,3,1,R=6
D.North 1,0,0=1
N.Kosciuch 0,1',2',0,1=4+2
Poole 50
C.Holder 0,2,3,3,0=8
D.Ward 2,1',2,FD,2' =7+2
Rider Replacement (LM,DW,LM,JD)
B.Pedersen 3,1',1,2,1 =8+1
D.Watt 0,1',0,1',2' =4+3
L.Madsen 2',2',2,2,3,3=14+2
J.Doyle 3,3,1,2',F =9+1
Referee Mrs Margaret Vardy
Gates 1&3 (Poole won toss); 1&3 (Poole won toss)
1. Bjerre, Ward, Buczkowski, Holder 4-2 4-2 (60.2)
2. Doyle, Madsen, North,Kosciuch 1-5 5-7 (60.5)
3. Pedersen, Madsen, Schlein, Iversen 1-5 6-12 (60.8)
4.Doyle, Batchelor, Kosciuch, Watt 3-3 9-15 (60.6)
5.Schlein, Holder, Ward, Iversen 3-3 12-18 (60.7)
6.Bjerre, Madsen, Watt, Buczkowski 3-3 15-21
7. Batchelor, Ward, Pedersen, North 3-3 18-24 (60.9)
8. Buczkowski, Kosciuch, Doyle,Ward (fell disqualified) 5-1 23-25 (61.2)
9. Iversen, Madsen, Watt, Schlein 3-3 26-28 (60.5)
10. Madsen, Buczkowski, Pedersen, Bjerre 2-4 28-32 (60.1)
11. Holder, Ward, Batchelor, North 1-5 29-37 (59.8)
12.Madsen, Doyle, Schlein, Kosciuch 1-5 30-42 (60.8)
13. Holder, Watt, Bjerre (TR), Batchelor 1-5 31-47 (60.0)
14. Iversen (TR), Pedersen, Kosciuch, Doyle (fell) 7-2 38-49 (60.8)
15. Bjerre, Iversen, Pedersen, Holder 5-1 43-50 (60.2)
Scores from heats 1-5 Peterborough 12 Poole 18
Scores from heats 6-10 Peterborough 16 Poole 14
Scores from heats 11-15 Peterborough 15 Poole 18
Poole 1&2 5 heats
Poole 1&3 1 heats
Poole 1&4 1 heats
Poole 2&3 4 heats
Poole 2&4 2 heats
Poole 3&4 2 heats
Poole v Coventry Monday October 4th (POF)
Poole
C.Holder 1,2,1,1
D.Ward 3,1',2,0 =6+1
A.Mroczka 2',0,0
B.Pedersen 3,2,2,
D.Watt 3,2',3,0
L.Madsen 2,3,0,1
J.Doyle 0,1,0,3
Coventry
K.Kasprzak 2,3,2,3,
R.Sweetman 0,1,1,1'
B.Barker 1,0,0,
Rider Replacement LB,PP,
C.Harris FD,3,3,3,2'
L.Bridger 1,0,0,1
P.Pawlicki 3,2,1,3,2',2
Ht 1 D.Ward, K.Kasprzak, C.Holder, R.Sweetman 4-2 (4-2)
Ht 2 P.Pawlicki, L.Madsen, L.Bridger, J.Doyle 2-4 (6-6)
Ht 3 B.Pedersen, A.Mroczka, B.Barker, L.Bridger RR 5-1 (11-7)
Ht 4 D.Watt, P.Pawlicki, J.Doyle, C.Harris (fell disqualified) 4-2 (15-9)
Ht 5 K.Kasprzak, B.Pedersen, R.Sweetman, A.Mroczka 2-4 (17-13)
Ht 6 C.Harris, C.Holder, D.Ward, L.Bridger 3-3 (20-16)
Ht 7 L.Madsen, D.Watt, P.Pawlicki RR, B.Barker 5-1 (25-17)
Ht 8 P.Pawlicki, D.Ward, R.Sweetman, J.Doyle 2-4 (27-21)
Ht 9 C.Harris, B.Pedersen, L.Bridger, A.Mroczka 2-4 (29-25)
Ht 10 C.Harris (RR), P.Pawlicki (r/c), C.Holder, D.Ward 1-5 (30-30)
Ht 11 D.Watt, K.Kasprzak, R.Sweetman, L.Madsen 3-3 (33-33)
Ht 12 J.Doyle, P.Pawlicki (RC), L.Madsen (RC), B.Barker 4-2 (37-35)
Ht 13 K.Kasprzak, C.Harris, C.Holder, D.Watt 1-5 (38-40)
Ht 14 P.Pawlicki, B.Barker (RR), L.Madsen, B.Pedersen 1-5 (39-45)
Ht 15 K.Kasprzak, C.Harris, B.Pedersen, C.Holder 1-5 (40-50)
Scores from heats 1-5 Poole 17 Coventy 13
Scores from heats 6-10 Poole 13 Coventy 17
Scores from heats 11-15 Poole 10 Coventy 20
Poole 1&2 2 heats
Poole 1&3 3 heats
Poole 1&4 1 heats
Poole 2&3 1 heats
Poole 2&4 4 heats
Poole 3&4 4 heats
Coventry v Poole Monday September 27th (POF)
Coventry 51
K.Kasprzak 3,2,3,FD,3 =11
R.Sweetman 1,1',1 =3+1
B.Barker 0,3,0,FD=3
E.Kennett 2,2',2,1' =7+2
C.Harris 2',1',1',3,FD =7+3
L.Bridger 3,2,1,2,2 =10
P.Pawlicki 2',3,3,2, =10+1
Poole 39
C.Holder 2,0,3,2,FD =7
D.Ward FD,1,FD^,0 =1
A.Mroczka 1,0,0=1
B.Pedersen 3,3,4^,3,2 =15
D.Watt 0,3,3,DQ, =6
L.Madsen 0,0,1,3=4
J.Doyle 1,1,2,1,F =5
Referee Mr D.Holt
Gates 2&4 (Coventry won toss); 2&4 (Coventry won toss)
1. Kasprzak, Holder, Sweetman,Ward (fell disqualified) 4-2 4-2 (59.3)
2. Bridger, Pawlicki, Doyle, Madsen 5-1 9-3 (59.7)
3.Pedersen, Kennett, Mroczka, Barker (fell rem) 2-4 11-7 (61.6)
4.Pawlicki, Harris, Doyle, Watt 5-1 16-8 (60.5)
5.Barker, Kennett, Ward, Holder 5-1 21-9 (59.6)
6.Watt, Kasprzak, Sweetman, Madsen 3-3 24-12 (59.1)
7. Pedersen, Bridger, Harris, Mroczka 3-3 27-15 (59.6)
8. Pawlicki, Doyle, Sweetman,Ward (TR) (fell disqualified) 4-2 31-17 (Awd)
9. Watt, Kennett, Madsen, Barker 2-4 33-21 (59.2)
10.Kasprzak, Pedersen (TR), Bridger, Mroczka 4-4 37-25 (60.2)
11. Holder, Bridger, Harris, Ward 3-3 40-28 (58.1)
12. Madsen, Pawlicki, Doyle (fell rem),Barker (fell disqualified) 2-4 42-32 (61.1)
13.Harris, Holder, Watt (disqualified), Kasprzak (fell disqualified) 3-2 45-34 (58.6)
14.Pedersen, Bridger,Kennett,Doyle (fell) 3-3 48-37 (60.6)
15 Kasprzak, Pedersen,.Holder (fell disqualified), Harris (fell disqualified) 3-2 51-39 (60.3)
Scores from heats 1-5 Coventry 21 Poole 9
Scores from heats 6-10 Coventry 16 Poole 16
Scores from heats 11-15 Coventry 14 Poole 14
Poole 1&2 0 heats
Poole 1&3 3 heats
Poole 1&4 4 heats
Poole 2&3 0 heats
Poole 2&4 5 heats
Poole 3&4 3 heats
Play-off sneak-ins Coventry put themselves in the driving seat to destroy Poole's season-long dreams of the Sky Sports Elite League title with a 12 point lead from the first leg. Running up an early 12 point lead on a track that presented more than its fair share of problems the Bees looked as though they might respond to team manager's Alun Rossiter pre-meeting request for a 20 point lead to take to Wimborne Road on October 4th with only Bjarne Pedersen showing any true consistency for the Castle Cover Pirates.
In Poole's defence they were hard hit by a refereeing decision to disqualify Darcy Ward in the opening heat when he fell at the first turn, just one of a number of incidents where the Pirates didn't get the rub off the green. There was more heartache for Ward when in his third ride he was given the responsibiltiy of a tactical ride but in his eager pursuit of Pole Pawlicki he over-ran things on the heavy outside run of the track and crashed out. Poole's chances of keeping the scoreline to a manageable second leg pull-back were given a boost when skipper Dave Watt comfortably won heat 9 with Leon Madsen opening his account with a third place and a Pirates 4-2.
Fast-looking Bjarne Pedersen, under the black and white, couldn't quite maintain his unbeaten performance losing out to former Pirate Krzystof Kasprzak in heat 10 but Pedersen's double points shared the heat, and there was no deviation from the 12 point gap between the two sides after Holder had won heat 11 with Ward failing to score.
Madsen then showed his true colours winning a re-started twelth heat after Barker had fallen and with Jason Doyle remounting after sliding off in that re-run Poole banked a 4-2 advantage. A debatable decision to disqualify both Kasprzak, the cause of a heat 13 stoppage, and Davey Watt (for not being under power, due to him falling when Kasprzak rode across him) hindered the Pirates hopes of making real inroads into the deficit and in the two-man re-run it was Coventry's Chris (Harris) that triumphed over Poole's (Holder). A heavy fall for backmarker Jason Doyle, just back from a shoulder injury, meant Pedersen's fine heat 14 win saw the Pirates go into the final heat of the night trailing by 11 points.
When Chris Harris fell pursuing Pedersen into the third turn and the Pirate fans saw the Harris disqualification light come on hopes were raised that they might contain the Bees to just a single figure margin, but then in the re-run Holder was forced to bale out when Kasprzak performed a similar move to that of his in heat 13. After extracting himself from under the air fence Holder was quick to his feet only to learn of his disqualification leaving a straight match-race between Kasprzak and Pedersen to determine the points difference from this first leg. Pedersen gated well and tried to push Kasprzak wide but the Pole found the right level of dirt to pick up the drive and accelerate away down the back straight to restore the 12 point advantagte they had built up so quickly to leave the destiny of the championship swiniging in the balance.
Poole v Wolverhampton Monday September 20th (POSF)
Poole 53 (97.5)
C.Holder 2',3,3,2=10+1
D.Ward 3,2',3,2',0=10+2
B.Pedersen 3,3,3,3,1 =13
A.Mroczka 2',0,2',1=5+2
D.Watt 2,2,1',0=5+1
L.Madsen 3,0,2,3=8
G.Havelock 1'0,1,0=2
Wolverhampton 41 (85.5)
F.Lindgren 1,1',6^,3,3 =14+1
T.Proctor 0,2,2,0=4
N.Klindt 0,3,1,2,2' =8+1
T.Woffinden 1,2^,0,2 =5
A.Skornicki 3,1,FD,1=5
M.Wethers 2,0,1,1'=4+1
L.Lindgren 0,1,0,0 =1
Referee: Mr M Bates
Gates 2&4 2&4 (Wolverhampton won toss)
Ht 1 D.Ward, C.Holder, F.Lindgren, T.Proctor 5-1 (5-1) (58.91)
Ht 2 L.Madsen, M.Wethers, G.Havelock, L.Lindgren 4-2 (9-3) (58.71)
Ht 3 B.Pedersen, A.Mroczka, T.Woffinden, N.Klindt 5-1 (14-4) (59.26)
Ht 4 A.Skornicki, D.Watt, L.Lindgren, G.Havelock 2-4 (16-8) (59.68)
Ht 5 B.Pedersen, T.Proctor, F.Lindgren, A.Mroczka 3-3 (19-11) (59.14)
Ht 6 C.Holder, D.Ward, A.Skornicki, M.Wethers 5-1 (24-12) (59.63)
Ht 7 N.Klindt, D.Watt, T.Woffinden (TR), L.Madsen 2-5 (26-17) (59.62)
Ht 8 D.Ward, T.Proctor, G.Havelock, L.Lindgren 4-2 (30-19) (59.57)
Ht 9 B.Pedersen, A.Mroczka, M.Wethers, A.Skornicki (fell disqualified) 5-1 (35-20) (60.21)
Ht 10 C.Holder, D.Ward, N.Klindt, T.Woffinden 5-1 (40-21) (59.89)
Ht 11 F.Lindgren (TR), L.Madsen, D.Watt, T.Proctor 3-6 (43-27) (59.86)
Ht 12 B.Pedersen, N.Klindt, M.Wethers, G.Havelock 3-3 (46-30) (60.35)
Ht 13 F.Lindgren, C.Holder, A.Skornicki, D.Watt 2-4 (48-34) (59.84)
Ht 14 L.Madsen, T.Woffinden, A.Mroczka, L.Lindgren 4-2 (52-36) (59.68)
Ht 15 F.Lindgren, N.Klindt, B.Pedersen, D.Ward 1-5 (53-41) (60.24)
Poole 1&2 5 heats
Poole 1&3 3 heats
Poole 1&4 2 heats
Poole 2&3 1 heats
Poole 2&4 3 heats
Poole 3&4 1 heats
Scores from heats 1 to 5 Poole 19 Wolverhampton 11
Scores from heats 6 to 10 Poole 21 Wolverhampton 10
Scores from heats 11 to 15 Poole 13Wolverhampton 20
Final aggregate score - Poole 97.5 Wolverhampton 85..5
Poole Castle Cover Pirates booked themselves a meeting against the in-form side of the Elite league, Coventry, after comfortably seeing off the Bees' Midland rivals Wolverhampton and Darcy Ward declared "we are coming after the Bees!!"
Going into the second leg with the aggregate scores level the Pirates showed their true class and were inking the date of next Monday into their diaries by the middle of the meeting.
Despite the magnitude of the Pirates' victory there was good racing once again at the Wimborne Road circuit
with Freddie Lindgren getting dialled into the circuit as the meeting went on and Adam Skornicki showing all the experience he gained when a Pirate in 2008.
But in Ward, Holder and Pedersen the Pirates had a powerful trio but even they dropped their only points in each of their last rides. Poole batted out two tactical uses by Wolverhampton to still win by a dozen points and set up the championship deciding match against the form Bees.
Former skipper Bjarne Pedersen who had strung together four straight wins before being beaten in the final heat said of delivering the ride that secured the Pirates ticket "It was a team effort as it has been all season. I was on a new engine, well the second time I have used it and it went well for me tonight. Now we need to focus on Coventry and that promises to be tough ask.
Stand-in replacement Gary Havelock admittede "I was having a few bike problems tonight so I didn't show the great fans my best tonight, but it was great to be able to step into the semi-finals, harsh as it was on Jason (Doyle).
Ipswich v Poole Thursday September 16th (EL)
Ipswich 33
S.Nicholls R, 4^,3,1' =8+1
R.Fisher 1,0,R,F =1
D.King 2,2,3,R^,3,3 =13
A.Dryml 0,0,1,0 =1
Rider Replacement (RF,DK,KS,KS)
R.Hawkins 1,R,0,0,1 =2
K.Smith 0,2,2,1,0,2,1 =8
Poole 59
C.Holder 3,3,3,3 =12
D.Ward 2',3,1,3,2', =11+2
Rider Replacement (DWd,GH,LM,AM)
A.Mroczka 1,2,1',1',3,2 =10+2
D.Watt 3,3,2',0 =8+1
L.Madsen 3,1,3,2,2,0 =11
G.Havelock 2',1,1',1,2' =7+3
Ht 1 C.Holder, D.Ward, R.Fisher, S.Nicholls (rtd) 1-5 (1-5) (57.9)
Ht 2 L.Madsen, G.Havelock, R.Hawkins, K.Smith 1-5 (2-10) (59.6)
Ht 3 R/R D.Ward, D.King, A.Mroczka, A.Dryml 2-4 (4-14) (58.9)
Ht 4 D.Watt, K.Smith, G.Havelock, R/R R.Fisher 2-4 (6-18) (59.5)
Ht 5 C.Holder, D.King, D.Ward, A.Dryml 2-4 (8-22) (59.2)
Ht 6 D.Watt, S.Nicholls (TR), L.Madsen, R.Fisher (rtd) 4-4 (12-26) (59.4)
Ht 7 R/R D.King, A.Mroczka, R/R G.Havelock, R.Hawkins (rtd) 3-3 (15-29) (59.7)
Ht 8 D.Ward, K.Smith, G.Havelock, R.Hawkins 2-4 (17-33) (59.9)
Ht 9 L.Madsen, D.Watt, A.Dryml, D.King (TR) (rtd) 1-5 (18-38) (64.3)
Ht 10 S.Nicholls, R/R L.Madsen, A.Mroczka, R.Fisher (fell in 3rd) 3-3 (21-41) (63.2)
Ht 11 C.Holder, D.Ward, R/R K.Smith, R.Hawkins 1-5 (22-46) (63.3)
Ht 12 D.King, L.Madsen, R/R A.Mroczka, K.Smith 3-3 (25-49) (63.4)
Ht 13 C.Holder, R/R K.Smith, S.Nicholls, D.Watt 3-3 (28-52) (63.3)
Ht 14 A.Mroczka, G.Havelock, R.Hawkins, A.Dryml 1-5 (29-57) (63.6)
Ht 15 D.King, A.Mroczka, K.Smith, L.Madsen 4-2 (33-59) (61.4)
Poole 1&2 5 heats
Poole 1&3 5heats
Poole 1&4 1 heats
Poole 2&3 3 heats
Poole 2&4 1 heats
Poole 3&4 0 heats
Scores from heats 1 to 5 Ipswich 8 Poole 22
Scores from heats 6 to 10 Ipswich13 Poole 19
Scores from heats 11 to 15 Ipswich 12 Poole 18
League points awarded Ipswich 0 Poole 4
Poole cruised to their biggest away win of the season against a seriously weakened Ipswich side at Ipswich on Thursday, recording a scoreline of 59-33
The Pirates made light work of this fixture, sandwiched between their semi-final play off tie against Wolverhampton, despite having Bjarne Pedersen out with sickness bug and Jason Doyle sidelined with a shoulder injury that could end his season. But Poole managed the rider replacement facility adequately enough and with number 8 Gary Havelock ably stepping into the breach at reserve the Pirates were just far too dominant in this match, affected somewhat by the rain showers that brought about a 20 mimute delay whilst heated discussions were held with the referee over the merits of continuing racing on a greasy circuit.
Stand in team manager Garry May, taking charge of the Pirates away from home for the first time said, "it was a bit tricky out there and we all saw Kozza Smith spin round in one heat simply because of the conditions and staying safe was paramount in the minds of our riders as there is so much still to ride for this season and that was really the basis of the problem. The match had been won by the time the referee was called down to inspect the track but he was insistent that the meeting continue."
Despite the conditions Chris Holder cruised to a 12 point maximum and the Pirates only registered two last places all meeting - those in two of the last three heats. The meeting started with a winning ride by Holder just 0.2 seconds outside the track record, in a time of 57.9 seconds but by the end of the mid-meeting downpour race times were pushed out to consistently 63 plus seconds, evidencing the major change in conditions.
Speaking afterwards Matt Ford said "I am mightily relieved that we came out of that meeting unscathed. We stayed safe and still registered our biggest away win of the season but lets not forget that this was a weak Ipswich side who had nothing to ride for."
Even two tactical moves by the home side couldn't help their cause, Scott Nicholls being beaten by skipper Davey Watt in heat 6 resulting in a shared 4-4, and then Danny King packing up as he left the tapes in heat 9 with the Witches already 16 points behind. With the Pirates claiming a 5-1 in that one and two more maximum heats thereafter they were clear runaway winners, the Witches having to comfort themselves with a consolation sole heat advantage from the final race of the night.
Wolverhampton v Poole Monday September 13th (ELPO 1st Leg)
Wolverhampton 44.5
F.Lindgren 3,3,3,2.5 ,3=14.5
T.Proctor 0,1,3,0=4
N.Klindt 2,0,1',0=3+1
T.Woffinden 1,1,2,Fd=3
A.Skornicki 3,3,2,0,2'=10+1
M.Wethers 3,1,0,Fd=4
L.Lindgren 1,1,1,2=5
Poole 44.5
C.Holder 2,2',3,1,1=9+1
D.Ward 1',3,2,1=7+1
B.Pedersen 3,2,2,3=10
A.Mroczka 0,0,1',2'=3+2
D.Watt 2,2,3,2.5,0=9.5
L.Madsen 2,FD,0,1,3=6
J.Doyle 0,0,0=0
Referee Mr Craig Ackroyd
Gates 1&3 (Poole won toss); 1&3 (Wolverhampton won toss)
1.F.Lindgren, Holder, Ward, Proctor (15m) 3-3 3-3 (54.23)
2. Wethers, Madsen, L.Lindgren, Doyle (fell rem) 4-2 7-5 (55.97)
3. Pedersen, Klindt, Woffinden, Mroczka 3-3 10-8 (55.70)
4.Skornicki, Watt, L.Lindgren, Doyle 4-2 14-10 (56.57)
5. Ward, Holder, Woffinden, Klindt 1-5 15-15 (55.56)
6. F.Lindgren, Watt, Proctor, Madsen (fell disqualified) 4-2 19-17 (55.29)
7. Skornicki, Pedersen, Wethers, Mroczka (fell rem) 4-2 23-19 (56.75)
8.Proctor, Ward, L.Lindgren, Doyle 4-2 27-21 (55.90)
9.Watt, Woffinden, Klindt, Madsen 3-3 30-24 (55.85)
10.F.Lindgren, Pedersen, Mroczka, Proctor 3-3 33-27 (56.49)
11.Holder, Skornicki, Ward, Wethers 2-4 35-31 (56.65)
12. Pedersen,L. Lindgren, Madsen, Klindt 2-4 37-35 (56.88)
13. F.Lindgren & Watt, Holder, Skornicki 2.5-3.5 39.5 38.5 (56.43)
14. Madsen, Mroczka,Wethers (fell disqualified,)Woffinden (fell disqualified) 0-5 39.5-43.5 (awd)
15. F.Lindgren, A.Skornicki, C.Holder, D.Watt 5-1 44.5-44.5 (56.59)
Poole 1&2 2 heats
Poole 1&3 4 heats
Poole 1&4 1 heats
Poole 2&3 2 heats
Poole 2&4 5 heats
Poole 3&4 1 heats
Scores from heats 1 to 5 Wolverhampton 15 Poole 15
Scores from heats 6 to 10 Wolverhampton 18 Poole 12
Scores from heats 11 to 15 Wolverhampton11.5 Poole 19.5
A truly determined performance by the Poole Castle Cover Pirates in the first leg of their semi-final Elite league play-off saw them not only maintain their unique statistic of never having lost a play-off meeting since the scheme was introduced, but has made next Monday's home leg against Wolverhampton effectively a one-off meeting, having claimed a draw at Wolverhampton.
And it was a score-line rarely seen in speedway - 44.5 v 44.5 - after referee Craig Ackroyd studied every possible angle but could not split skipper Dave Watt and Fredrick Lindgren in a dramatic heat 13. The SCB referee ruled a dead heat with both riders scoring two and a half points each, and with Chris Holder's third place it maintained Poole's fightback and left just one point between the two sides.
With Wolverhampton failing to provide a finisher in heat 14, both Tai Woffinden and then Matthew Wethers being disqualified for falling in the two attempts to run the penultimate heat Poole snatched a 5-0 advantage through Leon Madsen and Artur Mroczka to edge them ahead for the one and only time on the night.
Freddie Lindgren and 2008 Pirate Adam Skornicki gained a 5-1 revenge in heat 15 so the scores will start from an all square position for the second leg.
A delighted Matt Ford said afterwards "This was a terrific team performance and you really can't fault any of riders as they really threw everything into it. You have to remember that Wolverhampton have an incredible home record and trying to break them at Monmore was never going to be easy. Our aim was to run it as close as possible and you really can't get any closer than that can you? That said we have to remind ourselves that we are only at the halfway stage of the tie and we can learn something from our achievement tonight - that is, if we can do it away then so might Wolverhampton. So we can't take anything for granted and we will honestly need all the support we can get to spur us on to finish the job on Monday night. Our fans can certainly be our 8th man and I really hope that they come along to give the lads the support they justly deserve".
In the other semi-final Coventry recovered from a jittery start against Peterborough to run out 52-38 winners and they will therefore take a 14 point lead with them on Monday for their second leg.
Poole v Coventry Thursday 9th September
Coventry 53
K.Kasprzak 3,0,3,1',2' =9+2
R.Sweetman 0,3,0, =3
B.Barker 1',1',0,2, 4+2
E.Kennett 2,2,2,1' =7+1
C.Harris 3,2',2,2,3 =12+1
L.Bridger 2',3,1', =6+2
P.Pawlicki 3,2',3,2',0,2=12+2
Poole 42
C.Holder 1',0,<6>,0,1 =8+1
D.Ward 2,3,<4>,FD, =9
B.Pedersen 3,1,1,1=6
A.Mroczka 0,0,0 =0
D.Watt 1,2,3,3,0 =9
L.Madsen 1,1',1,3,3=9+1
J.Doyle Fd,0,1',0 =1+1
Referee Mr Mick Posselwhite
Gates:1&3 (Poole won toss); 1&3 (Poole won toss)
1. Kasprzak, Ward, Holder, Sweetman 3-3 3-3 (57.7)
2. Pawlicki, Bridger, Madsen,Doyle (fell disqualified) 5-1 8-4 (58.2)
3. Pedersen, Kennett, Barker, Mroczka 3-3 11-7 (58.6)
4.Harris, Pawlicki, Watt, Doyle 5-1 16-8 (58.9)
5. Ward, Kennett, Barker, Holder 3-3 19-11 (58.5)
6.Sweetman, Watt, Madsen, Kasprzak 3-3 22-14 (58.8)
7.Bridger, Harris, Pedersen, Mroczka 5-1 27-15 (58.9)
8.Pawlicki, Ward (TR), Doyle, Sweetman 3-5 30-20 (58.6)
9. Watt, Kennett, Madsen, Barker 2-4 32-24 (59.6)
10. Kasprzak, Pawlicki, Pedersen, Mroczka 5-1 37-25 (59.9)
11. Holder, Harris, Bridger,Ward (fell disqualified) 3-6 40-31 (59.2)
12 Madsen, Barker, Pedersen, Pawlicki 2-4 42-35 (59.9)
13. Watt, Harris, Kasprzak, Holder 3-3 45-38 (59.0)
14 Madsen, Pawlicki, Kennett, Doyle 3-3 48-41 (59.8)
15 Harris, Kasprzak, Holder, Watt 5-1 53-42 (59.2)
Summary Statistics
Poole 1&2 0 heats
Poole 1&3 2 heats
Poole 1&4 5 heats
Poole 2&3 3 heats
Poole 2&4 0 heats
Poole 1&5 5 heats
Scores from 1st 5 heats Coventry 19 Poole 11
Scores from 2nd 5 heats Coventry 18 Poole 14
Scores from 3rd 5 heats Coventry 16 Poole 17
Coventry 3 pts Poole 0 pts
Poole Castle Cover Pirates couldn't halt the resurgence of form of the Coventry Bees who have scraped into the final play-off position. After the 53-42 defeat the Pirates then delivered something of a shock decision in opting to go to Wolverhampton on Monday night (September 13th) in the first leg of the title deciding play-offs leaving Peterborough and Coventry to slug out the second semi-final.
The Pirates ensured their final meeting prior to the cut-off deadline of midnight 9th September went to a dramatic climax but had they not conceeded key points when in heat winning positions then they could well have ruined Coventry's dreams.
Twice Jason Doyle was amongst the points when mistakes left him squandering and crucially, when alongside tactical ride partner Chris Holder, young Darcy Ward paid the price of over-riding and crashed out. That denied the Pirates an 8-1 which would have changed the whole complexion of the meeting. But with Coventry running out winners on the night and Lakeside unable to secure the necessary points at Swindon it was the Hammers that finally miss out on the play-offs.
Poole boss Matt Ford, who was forced to miss the meeting as he was out of the country said "I was following all the developments tonight from afar and weighed up all the options and although we would have jumped at the chance of riding at Lakeside I just feel that with the way results have been falling then the option of taking on Wolverhampton could work in our favour."
Poole v Peterborough Wednesday 1st September
Poole 50
1 C.Holder 3,1',3,2,2' =11+2
2 D.Ward 2',2,3,1 =8+1
3 B.Pedersen 2,2,3,3,3=13
4 A.Mroczka 0,1',2',2 =5+2
5 D.Watt 2,2,0,0=4
6 L.Madsen 3,0,2, =5
7 J.Doyle 2',0,FD,1,1' =4+2
Peterborough 39
1 K.Bjerre 1,3,3,3,R=10
2 K.Buczkowski 0,0,2,1=3
3 R.Schlein 3,3,2,0 =8
4 N.Iversen 1,1,0,3 =5
5 T.Batchelor 3,3,1,1,1 =9
6 M.Tresarrieu R,0,0, =0
7 N. Kosciuch 1,1,FD,2,0 =4
Referee: Mr Daniel Holt
Gates 1&3 (Poole won toss); 1&3 (Poole won toss)
Ht 1 C.Holder, D.Ward, K.Bjerre, K.Buczkowski 5-1 (5-1) (59.07)
Ht 2 L.Madsen, J.Doyle, N. Kosciuch, M.Tressarieu (rtd) 5-1 (10-2) (59.02)
Ht 3 R.Schlein, B.Pedersen, N.Iversen, A.Mroczka 2-4 (12-6) (59.09)
Ht 4 T.Batchelor, D.Watt, N. Kosciuch, J.Doyle 2-4 (14-10) (59.44)
Ht 5 K.Bjerre, B.Pedersen, A.Mroczka, K.Buczkowski 3-3 (17-13) (58.91)
Ht 6 T.Batchelor, D.Ward, C.Holder, M.Tresarrieu 3-3 (20-16) (60.23)
Ht 7 R.Schlein, D.Watt, N.Iversen, L.Madsen 2-4 (22-20) (59.18)
Ht 8 D.Ward, K.Buczkowski, J.Doyle (fell disqualified), N.Kosciuch (fell disqualified) 3-2 (25-22) (59.63)
Ht 9 B.Pedersen, A.Mroczka, T.Batchelor, M.Tresarrieu 5-1 (30-23) (59.54)
Ht 10 C.Holder, R.Schlein, D.Ward, N.Iversen 4-2 (34-25) (60.03)
Ht 11 K.Bjerre, L.Madsen, K.Buczkowski, D.Watt 2-4 (36-29) (59.55)
Ht 12 B.Pedersen, R/C N.Kosciuch, J.Doyle, R.Schlein 4-2 (40-31) (59.79)
Ht 13 K.Bjerre, C.Holder, T.Batchelor, D.Watt 2-4 (42-35) (59.70)
Ht 14 N.Iversen, A.Mroczka, R/C J.Doyle, N. Kosciuch 3-3 (45-38) (60.33)
Ht 15 B.Pedersen, C.Holder, T.Batchelor, K.Bjerre (rtd) 5-1 (50-39) (60.82)
Summary Statistics
Poole 1&2 4 heats
Poole 1&3 2 heats
Poole 1&4 1 heats
Poole 2&3 3 heats
Poole 2&4 5 heats
Poole 1&5 0 heats
Scores from 1st 5 heats Poole 17 Peterborough 13
Scores from 2nd 5 heats Poole 17 Peterborough 12
Scores from 3rd 5 heats Poole 16 Peterborough 14
Poole 3 pts Peterborough 0 pts
Poole Castle Cover Pirates came through their 16-match home league record with maximum league points but not before play-off hopefuls Peterborough gave them a major scare.
On the back of a shock home defeat of their own the Panthers almost wrestled a league point from Wimborne Road despite suffering 5-1 reversals in the opening two heats. The manner in which the Pirates started suggested that the league leaders were going to revel in one of their all-too common big scores, but the Panthers stood their ground and slowly clawed back much of the deficit.
On a night that produced some highly entertaining racing, top billing going to an all out attack on Troy Batchelor by fellow Australians Darcy Ward and Chris Holder, followed by those self same Pirates producing an edge of the seat sensational heat 10, that saw riders scrape the boards and work overtime just to stay upright!
Man of the match Chris Holder, claimed that "I wasnt really making too many starts tonight but I certainly had the speed and you needed that against some of these Peterborough boys tonight. That heat 10 race was a bit awesome and I would like to apologise to Rory (Schlein) for the sore ankle, it wasnt intentional, just a by-product of some hard and fast racing."
Schlein was on of the main stays of the Panthers attack, opening with two impressive wins before suffering that second place to Holder in heat 10. His Australian counterpart Troy Batchelor also started emphatically with race wins in heats 4 and 6 but his colours were somewhat surprisingly lowered when he faced up to Bjarne Pedersen and Artur Mroczka in heat 9. With 'King Artur' pinning Batchelor on the inside it allowed Bjarne Pedersen to sweep round the outside to take up the initiative.
The resulting 5-1 began to swing the match back to Poole's favour and that heat 10 move from Holder which opened up a line for Ward to exploit on Iversen hinted that Poole could finish the Panthers off once and for all.
But the visitors kept the pressure on and their determination to try and gain some reward to make their passage to the play-offs a little more comfortable saw them peg back a two points in heats 11 through Bjerre and the improving Buckzowski. Although Pedersen countered that with Doyle in heat 12, Bjerre was on the gas again to win heat 13 from the pursuing Holder who just couldn't quite see through the pass he had set up. Batchelor's third place over Watt however put the Panthers within a heat advantage of claiming a league point. After a shared heat 14 it looked as though the Panthers might just upset that proud Poole record but Bjerre pulled up in the early stages just prior to Holder kicking on and shooting by Batchelor to join Pedersen on a closing 5-1 and a Poole victory by 50-39
Wolverhampton v Poole Monday 23rd August
Wolverhampton 50
F.Lindgren 3,3,3,3,3=15
T.Proctor 1,1,2,1=5
A.Skornicki 1,1,1,3=6
T.Woffinden 3,3,3,2',1=12+1
N.Klindt 2,2,1,0=5
M.Wethers 1',0,0,3=4+1
L.Lindgren 2,0,FD,1=3
Poole 40
C.Holder 0,0,3,2=5
D.Ward 2,2,3,2',2 =11+1
B.Pedersen 2,1,0,2=5
A.Mroczka 0,3,2,0=5
D.Watt 1,2,2,1',0=6+1
L.Madsen 0,0,0=0
J.Doyle 3,3,1,R,1=8
Referee Mr Dave Robinson
Gates 1&3 (Poole won toss); 2&4 (Wolverhampton won toss)
1.F.Lindgren, Ward, Proctor, Holder 4-2 4-2 (54.8)
2. Doyle, L.Lindgren, Wethers, Madsen 3-3 7-5 (57.33)
3. Woffinden, Pedersen, Skornicki, Mroczka 4-2 11-7 (55.97)
4. Doyle, Klindt, Watt, L.Lindgren 2-4 13-11 (56.87)
5.Woffinden, Ward, Skornicki, Holder 4-2 17-13 (55.82)
6.F.Lindgren, Watt, Proctor, Madsen 4-2 21-15 (56.40)
7. Mroczka, Klindt, Pedersen, Wethers 2-4 23-19 (57.36)
8.Ward, Proctor, J.Doyle (15m tapes), L.Lindgren (fell disqualified) 2-4 25-23 (56.44)
9.Woffinden, Watt, Skornicki, Madsen 4-2 29-25 (57.04)
10. Lindgren , Mroczka, Proctor, Pedersen 4-2 33-27 (56.87)
11.Holder, Ward, Klindt, Wethers 1-5 34-32 (56.48)
12.Skornicki, Pedersen, L.Lindgren, Doyle (rtd) 4-2 38-34 (57.77)
13. F.Lindgren, Holder, Watt, Klindt 3-3 41-37 (56.59)
14 Wethers, Woffinden, Doyle, Mroczka 5-1 46-38 (58.17)
15. F.Lindgren, Ward, Woffinden, Watt 4-2 50-40 (57.15)
Summary Statistics
Poole 1&2 1 heats
Poole 1&3 3 heats
Poole 1&4 1 heats
Poole 2&3 1 heats
Poole 2&4 8 heats
Poole 1&5 1 heats
Scores from 1st 5 heats Wolverhampton 17 Poole 13
Scores from 2nd 5 heats Wolverhampton 16 Poole 14
Scores from 3rd 5 heats Wolverhampton 17 Poole 13
League points awarded: Wolverhampton 3 Poole 0
Poole Castle Cover Pirates pushed their closest rivals, Wolverhampton, all the way in this top of the table clash before going down by 10 points. The loss, whilst reducing the points difference between the top two sides to 17 will have no bearing on the final placings with the Pirates guaranteed top spot.
But in much the same way as Wolverhampton raised eyebrows at Wimborne Road last Wednesday so the Pirates caused more than a few problems for a Wolves side that like Poole maintains a 100% home record.
Masterminding the Pirates assault were Darcy Ward, paid 12, and Jason Doyle 8 as Chris Holder and Leon Madsen struggled in the early stages to get any points themselves on the board. Holder came back strong in his final two rides to finish on 5 points - matched by Pedersen and Mroczka - and give the Pirates some hope of clinching a league point from the encounter but an unbeaten performance from Freddie Lindgren and a captain's innings from Tai Woffinden kept the the Wolves on the right course to protect their home record.
But the 'killer blow' came when 2009 Pirate Adam Skornicki, on his return from injury, made a splendid start in heat 12 to lead Bjarne Pedersen whilst Doyle, with two previous wins under his belt and a controversial 15 metre penalty in his third outing having handicapped him, suffered bike problem and retired early from the heat. Wolves' reserve Ludwig Lindgren 'limped' home for a vital point from a heat that the Pirates were looking to at least draw level from. Their other reserve Matthew Wethers then made a storming start in heat 14 leaving Woffinden, in sparkling form all night, the task of joining him at the front to seal the victory and leave Poole requiring a heat advantage in the final heat - which was always going to feature Freddie Lindgren and Tai Woffinden - to gain that consolation point.
Ward battled hard and made Lindgren work for his maximum but the Pirates conceded their 8th 4-2 of the night to lose by 10.
Poole v Wolverhampton Wednesday 18th August
Poole 53
C.Holder 2,2,2',2' =8+2
D.Ward R,1',2,3 =6+1
B.Pedersen 3,1',2,3,0 =9+1
A.Mroczka 2',2,1',1 =6+2
D.Watt 1,3,3,3,2 =12
L.Madsen 3,2',0,3 =8+1
J.Doyle 1,FD,1',2' =4+2
Wolverhampton 39
F.Lindgren 3,3,2,1^,3=12
T.Proctor 1,0,0,3,1' =5+1
Rider Replacement (TP,LL,LL,
T.Woffinden 1,1,1,4',1 =8
N.Klindt 3,3,3,1,=10 withdrawn injured
M.Wethers 0,0,0,0,0 =0
L.Lindgren 2,2',0,0,0,0 =4+1
Referee: Mr Ronnie Allan
Gates: 2&4 (Wolverhampton won toss); 1&3 (Poole won toss)
Ht 1 F.Lindgren, C.Holder, T.Proctor, D.Ward (rtd) 2-4 (2-4) (58.48)
Ht 2 L.Madsen, L.Lindgren, J.Doyle, M.Wethers 4-2 (6-6) (59.26)
Ht 3 B.Pedersen, A.Mroczka, T.Woffinden, R/R T.Proctor 5-1 (11-7) (60.12)
Ht 4 N.Klindt, L.Lindgren, D.Watt, J.Doyle (fell disqualified) 1-5 (12-12) (59.18)
Ht 6 N.Klindt, C.Holder, D.Ward, M.Wethers 3-3 (18-18) (59.79)
Ht 7 D.Watt, L.Madsen, T.Woffinden, R/R L.Lindgren 5-1 (23-19) (59.91)
Ht 8 T.Proctor, D.Ward, J.Doyle, L.Lindgren 3-3 (26-22)(59.94)
Ht 9 N.Klindt, B.Pedersen, A.Mroczka, M.Wethers 3-3 (29-25) (59.87)
Ht 10 D.Ward, C.Holder, T.Woffinden, R/R L.Lindgren 5-1 (34-26) (59.81)
Ht 11 D.Watt, F.Lindgren, T.Proctor, L.Madsen 3-3 (37-29) (59.89)
Ht 12 B.Pedersen, J.Doyle, R/R N.Klindt, M.Wethers 5-1 (42-30) (60.86)
Ht 13 D.Watt, C.Holder, F.Lindgren TR, R/C M.Wethers 5-1 (47-31) (60.7)
Ht 14 L.Madsen, T.Woffinden TR, A.Mroczka, L.Lindgren 4-4 (51-35) (60.79)
Ht 15 F.Lindgren, D.Watt, T.Woffinden, B.Pedersen 2-4 (53-39)
Summary Statistics
Poole 1&2 5 heats
Poole 1&3 2 heats
Poole 1&4 1 heats
Poole 2&3 4 heats
Poole 2&4 2 heats
Poole 1&5 1 heats
Scores from 1st 5 heats Poole 15 Wolverhampton 15
Scores from 2nd 5 heats Poole 19 Wolverhampton 11
Scores from 3rd 5 heats Poole 19 Wolverhampton 13
League Points awarded Poole 3 Wolverhampton 0
Poole Castle Cover Pirates began slowly but finished strongly in their penultimate home league fixtture, eventually running out 53-39 winners over second placed Wolverhampton
Whilst that 14 point win looks convincing enough the Wolves fought hard in this hugely exciting well attended Sky Sports Elite league match. Before the off team manager Neil Middleditch was billing the meeting as a possible dress rehearsal for the title-deciding play-offs and if that proves to be the case then the destiny of the league title will go to the wire if this meeting is anything to go by.
The Pirates were given stark warnings early on as Wolverhampton began the better side and through Freddie Lindgren and Nicolai Klindt they always looked threatening.Although Poole quickly recovered from an opening 4-2 reverse to move into a four point lead of their own after three heats, the visitors were equally as responsive in levelling the scores after four heats. The defending league champions banging in a 5-1 at the expense of Dave Watt and a harshly disqualified Jason Doyle.
Skipper Watt though made changes to his set-up and was inspirational in the Pirates' recovery. He dropped just one more point over the course of his next four rides, that coming in heat 15 by which time the league points were already safely in the locker. "That is the second time in two weeks we have allowed the opposition to get near to 40 points so perhaps we need to up our game a bit between now and the end of the season" quiiped the skipper, voted Rider of the Night.
With little to chose between the two sides the Pirates will reflect on their all-important heat 10 maximum return over masterminded by the fast-away Darcy Ward and the determination of Chris Holder to pass and hold off Tai Woffinden. Ironically that was the Pirates third maximum heat score of the night, all three coming at the expense of Woffinden. But it gave the Pirates an 8 point cushion that Watt successfully defended by lowering Lindgren's colours for the first time and whilst Leon Madsen came close to passing Ty Proctor his failure to do so played into Poole's hands as it delayed the tactical use which the unbeaten Nicolai Klindt would surely have taken had he had the opportunity.
It may have been a fruitless chance though as Pedersen and Doyle combined for a 5-1 of their own, Doyle finding some unbelievable drive to power by Klindt with consumate ease. That did signify the use of the double points option in heat 13 with Lindgren nominated. But entering the first turn squeezed out, Lindgren lost control, brought down Holder and Klindt too, as Watt escaped the debris of bikes and riders as he was out in front. Thankfully all three riders were able to walk back to the pits but Klindt was struggling and was forced to withdraw from the re-run. That re-start again saw elbows locking together, but Holder pulled clear to join Watt, yet again clear of any danger, for a match winning 5-1
With faint hopes of trying to arrest the Pirates claim to top spot the Wolves attempted to pull some big points out in heat 14, using Woffinden on double points and whilst the GB international was able to get the better of Mroczka eventually he had no answer to the impressive Leon Madsen as Poole guaranteed themselves the full quota of league points.
Belle Vue v Poole Monday 16th August
Belle Vue 48
R.Schlein 3,2',1',2',0 =8+3
J.Wright 1,3,1,2 =7
L.Lanham 0,2,0,2 =4
P.Hougaard 2,1',3,2 =8+1
P.Karlsson 3,3,2,3,3 =14
F.Sitera 1,0,0 =1
U.Ostergaard 3,2',0,1',F =7+2
Poole 44
C.Holder 0,3,F,1 =4
D.Ward 2,F,3,3,2 =10
B.Pedersen 3,4^,3,1,1' =12+1
A.Mroczka 1,1',0 =2+1
D.Watt 0,1,1',R =2+1
L.Madsen 0,0,2,3,3 =8
J.Doyle 2,1,2',1 =6+1
Referee Mr Chris Durno
Gates 1&3 (Poole won toss); 1&3 (Poole won toss)
1.Schlein, Ward, Wright, Holder 4-2 4-2 (58.2)
2. Ostergaard, Doyle, Sitera, Madsen 4-2 8-4 (59.5)
3. Pedersen, Hougaard, Mroczka, Lanham 2-4 10-8 (59.2)
4.Karlsson, Ostergaard, Doyle, Watt 5-1 15-9 (59.0)
5. Holder, Lanham, Hougaard, Ward (fell) 3-3 18-12 (58.0)
6. Wright, Schlein, Watt, Madsen 5-1 23-13 (59.5)
7. Karlsson, Pedersen (TR), Mroczka, Sitera 3-5 26-18 (59.4)
8. Ward, Doyle, Wright, Ostergaard 1-5 27-23 (58.8)
9. Hougaard, Madsen, Watt, Lanham 3-3 30-26 (59.3)
10. Pedersen, Wright, Schlein, Mroczka 3-3 33-29 (59.5)
11. Ward, Karlsson, Ostergaard, Holder (fell) 3-3 36-32 (59.2)
12.Madsen, Lanham, Pedersen, Ostergaard (fell) 2-4 38-36 (59.1)
13. Karlsson, Schlein, Holder, Watt (rtd) 5-1 43-37 (58.7)
14.Madsen, Hougaard, Doyle,Sitera 2-4 45-41 (59.2)
15. Karlsson, Ward, Pedersen, Schlein 3-3 48-44 (59.2)
Summary Statistics
Poole 1&2 1 heats
Poole 1&3 3 heats
Poole 1&4 3 heats
Poole 2&3 3 heats
Poole 2&4 2 heats
Poole 1&5 3 heats
Scores from 1st 5 heats BelleVue 18 Poole 12
Scores from 2nd 5 heats Belle Vue 15 Poole 17
Scores from 3rd 5 heats Belle Vue 15 Poole 15
League Points awarded: Belle Vue 2 Poole 1
Poole Castle Cover Pirates came tantalisingly close to claiming victory at Kirkmanshulme Lane for the second time this season, going down eventually by a 4 point margin that earns them 1 league point as they stretch their lead at the top of the Sky Sports Elite league table to 17.
The 48-44 scoreline could well have been in the Pirates favour had it not been for two pieces of over-trying by young Australians Chris Holder and Darcy Ward.
Ward spun out in heat 5 when looking set to partner Holder home for a maximum 5-1, the Aces escaping with a shared heat and then in heat 11 as the race was building to an intense climax - Ward leading and Holder battling with the experienced campaigner Peter Karlsson for second place - Holder fell in virtually the same spot.
The British GP champion had worked impressively, on an otherwise disappointing night for him by his high standards, to muster into second but Karlsson cunningly hit back. Rather than settle for the 4-2 Holder went for the sweep but paid the price of a fall and Poole had to settle for another 3-3.
Although big hitters Holder and Davey Watt both struggled in this meeting the Pirates were well served by Bjarne Pedersen, Jason Doyle, Ward and after a none-too productive start, man of the match Leon Madsen.
Despite never leading the Pirates regained their composure after an indifferent opening and two mid-meeting heat advantages, one through a tactical ride second place from Pedersen followed up by a Ward/Doyle 5-1 in heat 8 the visitors had the Aces well within their sights and will be slightly disappointed that they didn't quite finish the job.
Swindon v Poole Thursday 12th August
Swindon 40
L.Adams 3, 6^,3,2,2=16
Rider Replacement (MR,CG,GZ,JS)
G.Zengota 0,2,2,3,3,0=10
M.Korneliussen 1,0,0,1=2
S.Stead 3,1,3,1' =8+1
M.Risager 0,0,0,0 =0
C.Gathercole 1,0,2',0,1,R =4+1
J.Sedgemen 0,=0
Poole 53
C.Holder 2,3,2,0,3 =10
D.Ward 1',2',1,3,1',1 =9+3
B.Pedersen 3,3,2,2,3 =13
Rider Replacement (DWd,JD,TP,BP)
D.Watt 2,1,2,3 =8
T.Proctor 2',0,1' =3+2
J.Doyle 3,1',2',1,1',F,2' =10+4
Referee Mr Peter Clarke
Gates 1&3 (Poole won toss)
1. Adams, Holder,Ward, Risager 3-3 3-3 (65.09)
2.Doyle, Proctor, Gathercole, Risager 1-5 4-8 (67.33)
3. Pedersen, Ward, Korneliussen, Zengota 1-5 5-13 (65.99)
4.Stead, Watt, Doyle, Gathercole 3-3 8-16 (66.09)
5. Holder, Zengota, Ward, Korneliussen 2-4 10-20 (66.59)
6. Adams (TR), Gathercole, Watt, Proctor 8-1 18-21 (66.71)
7.Pedersen, Doyle, Stead, Risager 1-5 19-26 (67.15)
8. Ward, Zengota, Doyle, Gathercole 2-4 21-30 (66.93)
9. Zengota, Watt, Doyle, Korneliussen 3-3 24-33 (66.12)
10. Adams, Pedersen, Proctor, Sedgemen 3-3 27-36 (66.40)
11.Stead, Holder, Ward, Risager 3-3 30-39 (66.65)
12. Zengota, Pedersen, Gathercole, Doyle (fell) 4-2 34-41 (66.77)
13. Watt, Adams, Stead, Holder 3-3 37-44 (66.55)
14 Pedersen, Doyle, Korneliussen, Gathercole (rtd) 1-5 38-49 (67.55)
15 Holder, Adams, Ward, Zengota 2-4 40-53 (67.02)
Summary Statistics
Poole 1&2 4 heats
Poole 1&3 3 heats
Poole 1&4 1 heats
Poole 2&3 5 heats
Poole 2&4 1 heats
Poole 1&5 1 heats
Scores from 1st 5 heats Swindon 10 Poole 20
Scores from 2nd 5 heats Swindon 17 Poole 16
Scores from 3rd 5 heats Swindon 13 Poole 17
League Points awarded Swindon 0 Poole 4
Sky Sports Elite league leaders POOLE CASTLE COVER PIRATES underlined their intent with a comprehensive second win of the season at Swindon on Thursday night and made it a back-to-back midweek double over the club that finished top of the table last season, a position for whch the Pirates are very much on target this time around
With reserve Jason Doyle in splendid form and the reliability of Bjarne Pedersen and Chris Holder the Pirates were far too strong for the Robins who 24 hours earlier had pushed the Pirates all the way at Wimborne Road.
But Poole were on a mission in Wiltshire and forced the home side into using an early tactical ride. That was taken, and won by Leigh Adams with his partner Gathercole riding the boards to pass Poole skipper Dave Watt to give Swindon an 8-1 advantage. But the Pirates instantly hit back through Pedersen and Doyle witha 5-1 and then Darcy Ward and Doyle fired in a 4-2 to put 9 points between the two sides.
A margin that Poole were happy to live with as it restricted the options of the Robins. The home side did claw two points back in heat 12 but with Dave Watt choosing heat 13 to win for the only time of the night, time was running out for Swindon as their play-off hopes were fading.
Poole were relentless though and saw the meeting out with heat advantages from the last two heats to take all four points and leavre themselves just 9 points short of a guaranteed top of the table finish.
Poole v Swindon Wednesday 11th August
POOLE 51
C.Holder 3,3,3,3,3 =15 Max
D.Ward 2',2',2,1 ,1=8+2 B.Pedersen 1,1',2,2 =6+1
A.Mroczka 3,2,1',3 =9+1
D.Watt 3,1,3,0 =7
L.Madsen R,0,0 =0
J.Doyle 2,2',1'0,1' =6+3
Swindon 41
L.Adams 1,3,4^,2,2 =12
Rider Replacement (CG,MR,GZ,CG)
G.Zengota 0,2',3,2,3,0 =10+1
M.Korneliussen 2,3,0,1' =6+1
S.Stead 1,1,3,1' =6+1
M.Risager Mx,1,0,0,0,R =1
C.Gathercole 0,3,0,R,1',2 =6+1
Referee: Mr P Clarke
Gates 1&3 (Poole win toss); 1&3 (Poole win toss)
Ht 1 C.Holder, D.Ward, L.Adams, R/R C.Gathercole/M.Risager (2mins) 5-1 (5-1) (58.07)
Ht 2 C.Gathercole, J.Doyle, M.Risager, L.Madsen (rtd 4th) 2-4 (7-5) (59.03)
Ht 3 A.Mroczka, M.Korneliussen, B.Pedersen, G.Zengota 4-2 (11-7) (58.49)
Ht 4 D.Watt, J.Doyle, S.Stead, C.Gathercole 5-1 (16-8) (59.36)
Ht 5 L.Adams, A.Mroczka, B.Pedersen, R/R M.Risager 3-3 (19-11) (58.58)
Ht 6 C.Holder, D.Ward, S.Stead, M.Risager 5-1 (24-12) (59.24)
Ht 7 M.Korneliussen, G.Zengota, D.Watt, L.Madsen 1-5 (25-17) (58.97)
Ht 8 R/R G.Zengota, D.Ward, J.Doyle, C.Gathercole (rtd 4th) 3-3 (28-20) (58.27)
Ht 9 S.Stead, B.Pedersen, A.Mroczka, M.Risager 3-3 (31-23) (59.38)
Ht 10 C.Holder, G.Zengota, D.Ward, M.Korneliussen 4-2 (35-25) (59.18)
Ht 11 D.Watt, L.Adams (TR), R/R C.Gathercole, R/C J.Doyle 3-5 (38-30) (59.41)
Ht 12 G.Zengota, B.Pedersen, J.Doyle, M.Risager (rtd) 3-3 (41-33) (59.57)
Ht 13 C.Holder, L.Adams, S.Stead, D.Watt 3-3 (44-36) (59.01)
Ht 14 A.Mroczka, C.Gathercole, M.Korneliussen, L.Madsen 3-3 (47-39) (60.01)
Ht 15 C.Holder, L.Adams, D.Ward, G.Zengota 4-2 (51-41) (59.43)
Summary Statistics
Poole 1&2 3 heats
Poole 1&3 3 heats
Poole 1&4 1 heats
Poole 2&3 6 heats
Poole 2&4 1 heats
Poole 1&5 1 heats
Scores from 1st 5 heats Poole 19 Swindon 11
Scores from 2nd 5 heats Poole 16 Swindon 14
Scores from 3rd 5 heats Poole 16 Swindon 16
League Points awarded: Poole 3 Swindon 0
Swindon Robins pushed the Pirates all the way in this Sky Sports Elite league clash at Wimborne Road with the Pirates running out eventual winners by 51-41 - the closest any opposition has come to the Pirates this season at Wimborne Road
But the Pirates always seemed to have the meeting under their control, inspired by the Holder/Ward combination banking two maximum heat advantages in the first six heats. Effectively, any desires that the Robins may have had of causing a shock result and upsetting the Pirates on home shale were dispelled in the space of two heats. First, Chris Holder produced a spectacular ride to overcome the impressive Grzegorz Zengota - a nil-pointer on his last visit - who had made most of the running. Holder coming through on the final lap to snatch victory and provide the Pirates with a 4-2 that put them 10 points up.
That margin allowed Leigh Adams to equip himself with the black and white helmet but his fellow compatriot Davey Watt somehow managed to win the battle of the skippers by the narrowest of margins, thus restricting the Robins to only pulling back two points of that double figure deficit.
There was no further shift in the points difference until Darcy Ward passed Zengota in heat 15 to see the Pirates close the meeting with a 4-2 as Holder completed a perfect five ride score - unbeaten all evening.
Eastbourne v Poole Thursday 5th August
Eastbourne
E.Kennett 2,3,2,3,1' =11+1
T.Jedrzejak 1',2',2',FD=5+3
R.Kling 2,0,1',0 =3+1
C.Woodward 1',1,2,1' =5+2
J.Kylmakorpi 3,3,1',1,2=10+1
S.Gustafsson 2,2',2,2=8+1
L.Bridger F,1,3,2=6
Poole
C.Holder 3,3,3,0,3 =12
D.Ward 0,2',0,0 =2+1
B.Pedersen 3,1,1,3,0 =8
A.Mroczka 0,0,3,3 =6
D.Watt 2,1,3,2 =8
L.Madsen 3,0,0,1 =4
J.Doyle 1,0,1,0 =2
Referee Paul Carrington
Gates 1&3 (Poole won toss),2&4 (Eastbourne won toss)
1.Holder, Kennett, Jedrzejak, Ward 3-3 3-3 (56.2)
2.Madsen, Gustafsson, Doyle, Bridger (fell) 2-4 5-7 (57.0)
3.Pedersen, Kling,Woodward, Mroczka 3-3 8-10 (57.1)
4.Kylmakorpi, Watt, Bridger, Doyle 4-2 12-12 (56.9)
5. Holder, Ward, Woodward, Kling 1-5 13-17 (56.6)
6.Kennett, Jedrzejak, Watt, Madsen 5-1 18-18 (56.7)
7.Kylmakorpi, Gustafsson, Pedersen, Mroczka 5-1 23-19 (57.2)
8. Bridger, Jedrzejak, Doyle, Ward 5-1 28-20 (57.4)
9.Watt, Woodward, Kling, Madsen 3-3 31-23 (57.2)
10.Mroczka, Kennett, Pedersen, Jedrzejak (fell disqualified) 2-4 33-27 (56.8)
11.Holder, Gustafsson, Kylmakorpi, Ward 3-3 36-30 (56.2)
12. Pedersen, Bridger, Madsen, Kling 2-4 38-34 (56.9)
13.Kennett, Watt, Kylmakorpi, Holder 4-2 42-36 (56.7)
14.Mroczka, Gustafsson, Woodward, Doyle 3-3 45-39 (57.3)
15.Holder, Kylmakorpi,Kennett, Pedersen 3-3 48-42 (57.7)
Summary Statistics
Poole 1&2 1 heats
Poole 1&3 3 heats
Poole 1&4 6 heats
Poole 2&3 0 heats
Poole 2&4 2 heats
Poole 1&5 3 heats
Scores from 1st 5 heats Eastbourne 13 Poole 17
Scores from 2nd 5 heats Eastbourne 20 Poole 10
Scores from 3rd 5 heats Eastbourne 12 Poole 12
League Points awarded: Eastbourne 2 Poole 1
Poole Castle Cover Pirates continued to add to their league points tally with a richly deserved away point at Eastbourne, going down but only by 6 race points.
The Eagles looking for revenge after their Wednesday night Wimborne Road drubbing reined in the Pirates who looked the stronger of the two sides in the early exchanges. But a rally of three maximum heat advantages for the Sussex side turned things to their favour by the halfway stage.
Poole's Artur Mroczka though finished strongly with two race wins, after ailing to score in his opening two outings to keep the Eagles within the Pirates sight whilst skipper Davey Watt crucially split the home pair of guest Edward Kennett and Flying Finn Jonas Kylmakorpi in heat 13, the only heat that Chris Holder failed to win of the five he appeared in.
Holder's vital heat 15 victory was double revenge as he saw off Kennett and Kylmakorpi his conquerors from heat 13 and also ensured that this time around the Pirates went home with something after losing by 8 points on their vist last month.
Poole v Eastbourne Wednesday 4th August
Poole 61
1.C.Holder 3,1,3,1' =8+1
2.D.Ward 1,R,R,2', =3+1
3.B.Pedersen 3,1,2',3 =9+1
4.A.Mroczka 2',3,3,1 =9+1
5.D.Watt 3,2',2',2 =9+2
6.L.Madsen 2',3,3,3,1' =12+2
7.J.Doyle 3,2',2,2',2 =11+2
Eastbourne 31
1.C.Harris 2,4^,1,3,3 =13
2.T.Jedrzejak 0,0,3,0 =3
3.R.Kling 0,0,1 =1
4.C.Woodward 1,1,1,2,0 =5
5.J.Kylmakorpi 1,2',1^,0 =4+1
6.S.Gustafsson 1,3,1,0,0,0 =5
7.C.Gathercole 0,0,0 =0
Referee: Mr Dave Robinson
Gates 1&3 (Poole win toss); 2&4 (Eastbourne won toss)
Ht 1 C.Holder, C.Harris, D.Ward, T.Jedrzejak 4-2 (4-2) (59.22)
Ht 2 J.Doyle, L.Madsen, S.Gustafsson, C.Gathercole 5-1 (9-3) (60.09)
Ht 3 B.Pedersen, A.Mroczka, C.Woodward, R.Kling 5-1 (14-4) (60.06)
Ht 4 D.Watt, J.Doyle, J.Kylmakorpi, C.Gathercole 5-1 (19-5) (60.39)
Ht 5 A.Mroczka, C.Harris (TR), B.Pedersen, T.Jedrzejak 4-4 (23-9) (59.18)
Ht 6 S.Gustafsson, J.Kylmakorpi, C.Holder, D.Ward (rtd) 1-5 (24-14) (59.50)
Ht 7 L.Madsen, D.Watt, C.Woodward, R.Kling 5-1 (29-15) (60.19)
Ht 8 T.Jedrzejak, J.Doyle, R/C S.Gustafsson, D.Ward (15m hcap) (rtd) 2-4 (31-19) (60.76)
Ht 9 A.Mroczka, B.Pedersen, J.Kylmakorpi (TR), C.Gathercole (R/C) 5-1 (36-20) (60.62)
Ht 10 C.Holder, D.Ward, C.Woodward, R/C S.Gustafsson 5-1 (41-21) (60.06)
Ht 11 L.Madsen, D.Watt, C.Harris, T.Jedrzejak 5-1 (46-22) (60.63)
Ht 12 B.Pedersen, J.Doyle, R.Kling, S.Gustafsson, 5-1 (51-23) (60.59)
Ht 13 C.Harris, D.Watt, C.Holder, J.Kylmakorpi 3-3 (54-26) (60.63)
Ht 14 L.Madsen, C.Woodward, A.Mroczka, R/C S.Gustafsson 4-2 (58-28)
Ht 15 C.Harris, J.Doyle, L.Madsen, C.Woodward 3-3 (61-31) (61.17)
Summary Statistics
Poole 1st & 2nd - 8 heats
Poole 1st & 3rd - 3 heats
Poole 1st & 4th - heats
Poole 2nd & 3rd -2 heats
Poole 2nd & 4th - 1 heats
Poole 3rd & 4th - 1 heat
Scores from 1st 5 heats - Poole 23 Eastbourne 9
Scores from 2nd 5 heats - Poole 18 Eastbourne 12
Scores from 3rd 5 heats - Poole 20 Eastbourne 10
League Points awarded: Poole 3 Eastbourne
Poole Castle Cover Pirates ruffled the feathers of their Sussex rival Eastbourne Eagles with a massive 30 point victory at Wimborne Road.
A solid team performance once again from the league leaders, led this time by reserve duo of Leon Madsen and Jason Doyle the Pirates were never threatened by the Eagles who were without number one Matej Zagar and former Pirate Lukas Dryml. For Zagar though they deployed British Champion Chris Harris as a guest rider and the 'Bomber' offered the only true resistance to the Pirates onslaught but even he finished on the wrong end of a 5-1 heat score, before finishing with race wins in heats 13 and 15.
His latter win cost the impressive Leon Madsen, warming up for the Danish Final championship on Friday night, his first Pirate maximum but his compatriot Bjarne Pedersen, a rival on Friday, had plenty to celebrate as he overtook Steve Schofield in the all-time points scoring rankings.
Pedersen admitted "It is nice to go from fourth to third but the way I look at it there are still two others who have scored more than me. I would love to have the chance to be around long enough to try and catch them" referring to former club captains Pete Smith (3427.5) and Craig Boyce (4498). Pedersen who moved on to a career record 3353.5 could comfortably go on to overcome Smith but would need a few more seasons to catch Australian Boyce.
The quiet-spoken Dane claimed that "although plenty of people came up to me beforehand to wish me luck and get the 7 points I needed to go third it didn't actually put any extra pressure on me because my meeting goal is always 10 points in any case".
On another evening the headline grabber would undoubtedly have been 'King' Artur Mroczka for he twice prevented the Eagles from making the best of their tactical rides. In heat 5 he splendidly held off Harris and then did it again in heat 9 when Joonas Kylmakorpi was seeking double points. That was the same heat when Pedersen finally surpassed Schofield's total, the Dane prodding away at Kylmakorpi before making the telling pass that gave him second place and a paid 7 tally.
With over half the heats going Poole's way by a 5-1 score the meeting was very much one way traffic but it is likely to be a different situation when the two clubs meet again on Thursday, at Eastbourne. The Eagles will have Arlington specialists Edward Kennett and Lewis Bridger on duty as replacements for Zagar and Dryml respectively. The Pirates lost out on an expected point when the two sides last met in Sussex and the Eagles will be out to try and become the first side to have taken full home points off the Pirates this season.
Lakeside v Poole Monday 2nd August
Lakeside 43
L.Richardson 1',2',R,3,2 =8+2
K.Nieminen 2,3,0,3=8
D.Davidsson 0,0,0=0
J.Davidsson 2,3,1',2 =8+1
A.Shields 2,3,2,2',0 =9
P.Hurry 1,FDq,0 =1
S.Robson Dq,1',3,2,2,1'=9+2
Poole 46
C.Holder 0,1',3,1,3 =8+1
D.Ward 3,2,2,1,1=9
B.Pedersen 3,2,2,3 =10
A.Mroczka 1,Dq,1',0 =2+1
D.Watt 3,0,0,0 =3
L.Madsen 3,0,3,1=7
J.Doyle 2',1,1',3=7+2
Referee: Mr Daniel Holt
Gates: 1&3 (Poole won toss);1&3 (Poole won toss);
Ht 1 D.Ward, K.Nieminen, L.Richardson, C.Holder 3-3 (3-3)
Ht 2 L.Madsen, J.Doyle, P.Hurry, S.Robson (disqualified) 1-5 (4-8)
Ht 3 B.Pedersen, J.Davidsson, A.Mroczka, D.Davidsson 2-4 (6-12)
Ht 4 D.Watt, A.Shields, S.Robson, R/C L.Madsen 3-3 (9-15)
Ht 5 J.Davidsson, D.Ward, C.Holder, D.Davidsson 3-3 (12-18)
Ht 6 K.Nieminen, L.Richardson, R/C J.Doyle, D.Watt 5-1 (17-19)
Ht 7 A.Shields, B.Pedersen, A.Mroczka (disqualified not under power), P.Hurry (fell disqualified) 3-2 (20-21)
Ht 8 S.Robson, D.Ward, J.Doyle, K.Nieminen 3-3 (23-24)
Ht 9 L.Madsen, R/C S.Robson, J.Davidsson, D.Watt 3-3 (26-27)
Ht 10 K.Nieminen, B.Pedersen, A.Mroczka, L.Richardson (rtd) 3-3 (29-30)
Ht 11 C.Holder, A.Shields, D.Ward, P.Hurry 2-4 (31-34)
Ht 12 B.Pedersen, S.Robson, L.Madsen, D.Davidsson 2-4 (33-38)
Ht 13 L.Richardson, A.Shields, C.Holder, D.Watt 5-1 (38-39)
Ht 14 J.Doyle, J.Davidsson, R/C S.Robson, A.Mroczka 3-3 (41-42)
Ht 15 C.Holder, L.Richardson, D.Ward, A.Shields 2-4 (43-46)
Summary Statistics
Poole 1st & 2nd - 1 heats
Poole 1st & 3rd - 4 heats
Poole 1st & 4th - 4 heats
Poole 2nd & 3rd - 3 heats
Poole 2nd & 4th - 1 heats
Poole 3rd & 4th - 2 heat
Scores from 1st 5 heats - Lakeside 12 Poole 18
Scores from 2nd 5 heats - Lakeside 17 Poole 12
Scores from 3rd 5 heats - Lakeside 14 Poole 16
League Points awarded: Lakeside 0 Poole 3
The Poole Castle Cover Pirates pulled off their 5th away league victory of the season to maintain their advantage at the top of the Sky Sports Elite despite chasing Wolverhampton maintaining their unbeaten home record.
Poole's stunning victory came at Lakeside in a tight meeting which saw the visitors lead from heat two onwards. Lakeside, still serious play-off contenders made the Pirates work all the way after recovering from a slow start, but the Pirates were given some breathing space thanks to a stunning heat 14 ride from Jason Doyle, all too often the Pirates' unsung hero.
Doyle had featured in a second race 5-1 to put the Pirates ahead, despite falling when hit by the disqualified Stuart Robson and then Bjarne Pedersen and Artur Mroczka put further distance between the two sides with a 4-2 advantage. The home side moved threateningly to within two points when Nieminen and Richardson bagged a 5-1 in the 6th heat, but there was more drama in heat 7 when first Artur Mroczka slid out at the first turn just prior to Paul Hurry colliding with Bjarne Pedersen causing the race to be stopped with Hurry being disqualified. Mroczka was also ineligible for the re-run as he was not under power at the time of the stoppage.
Pedersen, nursing a leg injury couldn't quite match Shields in the re-run and just a point separated the two sides. Nail-bitingly that margin remained over the course of the next three heats, the first of those witnessing a sensational ride by Stuart Robson to get the better of Darcy Ward and Jason Doyle. The pressure on the home side though began to tell as Richardson, foxed by Mroczka's use of the track, became incensed and had to be restrained pit-side.
That pressure increased when Holder and Ward finished either side of Adam Shields and then the Pirate's Danish influence of Bjarne Pedersen and Leon Madsen extended the lead to 5 points despite another great ride from Robson. With Richardson and Shields hitting the Pirates with a 5-1 the meeting was very much in abeyance but with Doyle producing a magnificent ride in heat 14 it left the Pirates just holding the upper hand and Holder delivered the final blow with a tapes to flag victory in the final heat, his partner Ward backing up well in third place.
Poole v Belle Vue (KOC) Wednesday 21st July
Poole 57 (97)
1.C.Holder 0,3,3,3,1 =10
2.L.Madsen 3,R,3,2' =8+1
3.B.Pedersen 2,3,1,3,3 =12
4.A.Mroczka 0,0,1 =1
5.D.Watt 2,2',2',0 =6+2
6.D.Ward 2',3,3,3,3 =14+1
7.J.Doyle 3,1',2',0 =6+2
Belle Vue 35 (85)
1.H.Andersen 2,2,1^,2,2 =9
2.J.Wright 1',1',1,0=3+2
3.L.Lanham 1,0,1,2, =4
4.P.Hougaard 3,1,0,2 =6
5.P.Karlsson 3,2,4^,1',0 =10+1
6.J.Grajczonek 0,1',0 =1+1
7.U.Ostergaard 1,0,0,1',0 =2+1
Referee: Ms B Horley
Gates 2&4 (Poole lost toss); 2&4 (Poole lost toss);
Ht 1 L.Madsen, H.Andersen, J.Wright, C.Holder 3-3 (3-3) (58.44)
Ht 2 J.Doyle, D.Ward, U.Ostergaard, J.Grajczonek 5-1 (8-4) (60.20)
Ht 3 P.Hougaard, B.Pedersen, L.Lanham, A.Mroczka 2-4 (10-8) (59.70)
Ht 4 P.Karlsson, D.Watt, J.Doyle, U.Ostergaard 3-3 (13-11) (59.85)
Ht 5 B.Pedersen, H.Andersen, J.Wright, A.Mroczka 3-3 (16-14) (59.63)
Ht 6 C.Holder, P.Karlsson, J.Grajczonek, L.Madsen (rtd) 3-3 (19-17) (59.54)
Ht 7 D.Ward, D.Watt, P.Hougaard, L.Lanham 5-1 (24-18) (60.37)
Ht 8 L.Madsen, J.Doyle, J.Wright, U.Ostergaard 5-1 (29-19) (60.02)
Ht 9 R/C D.Ward, P.Karlsson TR, B.Pedersen, J.Grajczonek 4-4 (33-23) (60.08)
Ht 10 C.Holder, L.Madsen, L.Lanham, P.Hougaard 5-1 (38-24) (59.98)
Ht 11 D.Ward, D.Watt, H.Andersen TR, J.Wright 5-1 (43-25) (60.54)
Ht 12 B.Pedersen, L.Lanham, R/C U.Ostergaard, J.Doyle 3-3 (46-28) (60.14)
Ht 13 C.Holder, H.Andersen, P.Karlsson, D.Watt 3-3 (49-31) (60.20)
Ht 14 D.Ward, P.Hougaard, A.Mroczka, U.Ostergaard 4-2 (53-33) (60.48)
Ht 15 B.Pedersen, H.Andersen, C.Holder, P.Karlsson 4-2 (57-35) (60.56)
Summary Statistics
Poole 1st & 2nd - 5 heats
Poole 1st & 3rd - 3 heats
Poole 1st & 4th - 5 heats
Poole 2nd & 3rd - 1 heats
Poole 2nd & 4th - 1 heats
Poole 3rd & 4th - 0 heat
Scores from 1st 5 heats - Poole 16 Belle Vue 14
Scores from 2nd 5 heats - Poole 22 Belle Vue 10
Scores from 3rd 5 heats - Poole 19 Belle Vue 11
Poole qualify for semi-finals 97-85 on aggregate
Poole's young Australian Darcy Ward became their KO cup hero in a spell of three mid-meeting heats where he twice denied the Belle Vue Aces their sought after big double point returns through the tactical ruling .
With the Pirates being reined in by the Aces over the early heats , Ward and his compatriot skipper Davey Watt shook the home side into action with a 5-1 in heat 7 which was backed up by a similar scoreline from Leon Madsen and Jason Doyle.
Whilst that levelled the aggregate scores for this cup-tie it gave the Aces a slight advantage as they were able to deploy the tactical ride option. First to have a go was Peter Karlsson in heat 9 but Ward was too strong for a man 23 years his elder!
By leading the Swede home Ward and with Bjarne Pedersen occupying third place the Aces were unable to eat into the Pirates lead of 10 points. That advantage then became 14 when Holder and Madsen fired in another Poole 5-1 and instantly the Aces tried their hand again by using Hans Andersen under a black and white helmet. Ward superbly defended the move and with Watt also in attendance the Pirates were rapidly heading towards the semi-finals.
With Poole providing the next two race winners - Pedersen and Holder - it was most fitting that the man to seal the Pirates place in the semi-final was the youngster Ward, completing his maiden Poole maximum and admitting that "hopefully my Polish club Torun wiil hear about this performance and reconsider as they have dropped me "
Poole chief Matt Ford applauded Ward for his efforts "Darcy rode superbly for us tonight and he thoroughly deserved the maximum and I am really pleased for him as he has been through a tough time of late. His performance tonight certainly kept us on the right track and ensured that at last we put the Knockout cup voodoo against Belle Vue to rest, but I will add that it wasn't a one-man show by any stretch of the imagination, yet again it was a very good team effort. I've said it before and I make no apologies for repeating it, that this Poole side is a very special team indeed."
Peterborough v Poole Monday 19th July
Peterborough 49
K.Bjerre 3,3,3,2,3 =14
K.Buczkowski 1,1,2,0 =4
R.Schlein R,1',3,3,1 =8+1
N.Iversen 2,2,2',2 =8+1
T.Batchelor 3,3,2,0 =8
M.Tressarieu 2,0,0=2
N.Kosciuch 1',2',1',0,1' =5+4
Poole 44
C.Holder 2,3,6^,1,2=14
L.Madsen R,0,NS,1' =1+1
B.Pedersen 3,2,2,1',0 =10
A.Mroczka 1,1',1',0 =3+2
D.Watt 1,2,0,3 =6
D.Ward 3,0,3,1,2,3 =12
J.Doyle F,R,0, =0
Referee: Mr Daniel Holt
Gates: 2&4 2&4
Ht 1 K.Bjerre, C.Holder, K.Buczkowski, L.Madsen (rtd) 4-2 (4-2)
Ht 2 D.Ward, M.Tressarieu, N.Kosciuch, J.Doyle (fell) 3-3 (7-5)
Ht 3 B.Pedersen, N.Iversen, A.Mroczka, R.Schlien (rtd) 2-4 (9-9)
Ht 4 T.Batchelor, N.Kosciuch, D.Watt, J.Doyle (rtd) 5-1 (14-10)
Ht 5 C.Holder, N.Iversen, R.Schlein, L.Madsen 3-3 (17-13)
Ht 6 K.Bjerre, D.Watt, K.Buczkowski, D.Ward 4-2 (21-15)
Ht 7 T.Batchelor, B.Pedersen, A.Mroczka, M.Tressarieu 3-3 (24-18)
Ht 8 R/C D.Ward, K.Buczkowski, N.Kosciuch, J.Doyle 3-3 (27-21)
Ht 9 R.Schlein, N.Iversen, D.Ward, D.Watt (exc 2mins - 15m hcap) 5-1 (32-22)
Ht 10 K.Bjerre, B.Pedersen, A.Mroczka, K.Buczkowski 3-3 (35-25)
Ht 11 C.Holder (TR), T.Batchelor, L.Madsen, M.Tressarieu 2-7 (37-32)
Ht 12 R.Schlein, D.Ward, B.Pedersen, N.Kosciuch 3-3 (40-35)
Ht 13 D.Watt, K.Bjerre, C.Holder, T.Batchelor 2-4 (42-39)
Ht 14 D.Ward (RC), N.Iversen, R.Kosciuch (RC), A.Mroczka 3-3 (45-42)
Ht 15 K.Bjerre, C.Holder, R.Schlein, B.Pedersen 4-2 (49-44)
Summary Statistics
Poole 1st & 2nd - 0 heats
Poole 1st & 3rd - 3 heats
Poole 1st & 4th - 4 heats
Poole 2nd & 3rd - 3 heats
Poole 2nd & 4th - 3 heats
Poole 3rd & 4th - 2 heat
Scores from 1st 5 heats - Peterborough 17 Poole 13
Scores from 2nd 5 heats - Peterborough 18 Poole 12
Scores from 3rd 5 heats - Peterborough 14 Poole 19
League points - Peterborough 2 Poole 1
Once again the Poole Castle Cover Pirates proved that this season they are the strongest Elite league opponents around the East of England Showground for the Peterborough Panthers But it was a meeting very much of two halves as the luckless Poole Castle Cover Pirates all but handed the Peterborough Panthers their victory, haemorraging points through a catalogue of misfortune, but a late recovery inspired by Aussies Holder, Watt and Ward enabled the Pirates to snatch a point and upset Peterborough's plan to make it maximum points from their remaining home matches
The meeting build up was enough to suggest that it wasn't going to be Poole's night, Chris Holder and Davey Watt enduring flight cancellations and diversions on their way back from Poland and Leon Madsen reporting for duty despite a bout of flu-poisoning. But things became worse when Jason Doyle made an unforced error whilst amongst the points in heat 2 which would have given the visitors a heat advantage, Ward the run-away winner. Doyle's was out again two heats later and made a lightning start but was soon overhauled by both fellow Aussie Troy Batchelor, Doyle not even able to complete the distance as his bike packed up.
Sick Madsen made a strong start in heat 5 and he and Holder looked as though they might square-up proceedings but Madsen was unable to hold position and was rapidly relegated to the rear.
Poole went with both reserves in heat 8, Ward standing in for Madsen but again points were handed to the Panthers when Doyle's night to forget continued, slipping out of second to fourth!
Blessed with the better gate positions in heat 9, Poole had a chance to put the squeeze on the Panthers but carburretor problems for skipper Watt developed with the two minutes exhausted and with Doyle so out of form it was best to keep Watt on track through the handicap. That though moved the gate positions over and Schlein and Iversen swallowed up the advantage emphatically.
Showground supremo Bjerre then produced a great ride to wrestle more points off the Pirates after Pedersen and Mroczka had made good early running.
Significantly though the shared heat tee-ed things up for Poole to deploy Chris Holder as a tactical rider in heat 11, the British GP winner making no mistakes but behind him it was a case of digging deep against the health odds for Madsen as he battled into third that closed the gap sufficiently to put Poole back in the hunt for a point. Heat 12 saw a blistering ride from Schlein and Ward's drift back through the pack looked to be critical but he managed to battle back and share the heat. Up to the plate came skipper Watt, without a win to his name from his first three rides but then doing something that is rarely achieved at the Showground this year - he beat Bjerre and with Holder in third the Pirates were suddenly in with a shout of a shock win.
Ward replaced the out-of-sorts Doyle and duly won heat 14 with a spectacular ride, Mroczka though unable to add to Poole's late rally. The pressure mounted ahead of heat 15 with thoughts of what happened at Eastbourne last Thursday flooding back. But whilst Bjerre was determined to make amends for his heat 13 defeat Holder got in between the Dane and Schlein to protect the point and with Pedersen keeping Schlein fully attentive the heat result was sufficient enough for that well deserved league point
Eastbourne v Poole Thursday 15th July
Eastbourne
M.Zagar 2',1',3,3,3 =12+2
R/R (CW,SG,RK,SG)
R.Kling 0,0,2',1',1' =4+3
C.Woodward 3,2,2,2,1',2' =12+2
J.Kylmakorpi 1,2',2,0 =5+1
S.Gustafsson 3,2,3,R,0,3 =11
L.Dryml 1,0,3,2=6
Poole
C.Holder 0,1,3,1',1 =6+1
L.Madsen 1,3,0,1 =5
B.Pedersen 3,1,1',3 =8+1
A.Mroczka 1,0,2,3 =6
D.Watt 3,3,3,2,0 =11
D.Ward 2,0,0,Dq =2
J.Doyle 0,2',1,R =3+1
Referee C.Turnbull
Gates 1&3 (Poole won toss), 2&4 (Eastbourne won toss)
1.Woodward, Zagar, Madsen, Holder 5-1 5-1 (55.8)
2.Gustafsson, Ward, Dryml, Doyle 4-2 9-3 (56.2)
3.Pedersen, Woodward, Mroczka, Kling 2-4 11-7 (56.6)
4. Watt, Doyle, Kylmakorpi, Dryml 1-5 12-12 (55.9)
5. Madsen, Woodward, Holder, Kling 2-4 14-16 (56.6)
6. Watt, Gustafsson, Zagar, Ward 3-3 17-19 (55.9)
7. Gustafsson, Kylmakorpi, Pedersen, Mroczka 5-1 22-20 (56.7)
8. Dryml, Kling, Doyle, Madsen 5-1 27-21 (56.8)
9. Watt, Woodward, Kling Ward 3-3 30-24 (56.5)
10.Zagar, Mroczka, Pedersen, Gustafsson (rtd) 3-3 33-27
11. Holder, Kylmakorpi, Madsen, Gustafsson 2-4 35-31 (56.3)
12. Pedersen, Dryml, Kling, Ward (disqualified) 3-3 38-34 (Awd)
13.Zagar, Watt, Holder, Kylmakorpi 3-3 41-37 (56.6)
14. Mroczka, Gustafsson, Woodward, Doyle (rtd) 3-3 44-40 (57.4)
15. Zagar, Woodward, Holder, Watt 5-1 49-41 (56.9)
Summary Statistics
Poole 1st & 2nd - 1 heats
Poole 1st & 3rd - 3 heats
Poole 1st & 4th - 4 heats
Poole 2nd & 3rd - 2 heats
Poole 2nd & 4th - 1 heats
Poole 3rd & 4th - 4 heat
Scores from 1st 5 heats - Eastbourne 14 Poole 16
Scores from 2nd 5 heats - Eastbourne 19 Poole 11
Scores from 3rd 5 heats - Eastbourne 16 Poole 14
League points -Eastboune 3 Poole 0
Poole suffered their all-time 700th away league defeat on Thursday night when beaten by their Sussex neighbours Eastbourne and to rub salt into the wounds the Pirates were unable to salvage a consolation point despite never being more than 6 points behind the home side until they conceded a 5-1 in the final heat of the night to lose 41-49.
After conceding a 5-1 in the opening heat for the second successive evening the Pirates did recover to sneak a mid meeting slender two point lead but with too many of the Pirates having 'off-nights' the determined Eagles, who were sharp from the tapes all too often were soon able to gain control.
The Castle Cover Pirates though will look back on a crucial heat 12 incident when Darcy Ward, who had spent much of the evening wrestling with his powerful mount, lost control on the back straight when partnering Bjarne Pedersen to what would have been a match levelling 5-1. Ward hit the advertising banners dislodging one on to the track but whilst Ward managed to remain upright and under power, dropping just one position, referee Christina Turnbull rightfully decreed that the strewn banner was causing a potential hazard and she stopped the race. Under rules, Ward was disqualified as the primary cause of the stoppage and the result awarded as a shared heat.
Another chance to square things up went begging when one-time second place Jason Doyle, on his way to supporting Artur Mroczka's heat 14 win, was passed by both Eagles, Doyle eventually pulling up with machine problems.
That left the Pirates needing maximum points of their own from heat 15 to force a draw and 2 league points or avoiding a 5-1 reverse to salvage a consolation point.
But Zagar and Woodward, both enjoying successful returns to the Eastbourne side made the running from the off and Poole were left with nothing to show for the efforts in making it a closely contested affair.
Poole v Lakeside Wednesday 14th July
Poole
C.Holder 1,3,3,2, =9
L.Madsen 0,1,1,2' =4+1
B.Pedersen 2',2,3,2' =9+2
A.Mroczka 3,1',2',2' =8+3
D.Watt 3,3,1',1'=8+2
D.Ward 3,2',2,3 =10+1
J.Doyle 2',FD,3,3 =8+1
Lakeside
C.Harris 3,3,6^,3 =15
K.Nieminen 2',0,4^,0 =6+1
D.Davidsson 0,0,1,0 =1
J.Davidsson 1,1,0,1 =3
A.Shields 2,2,1,0 =5
P.Hurry R,0,0,1 =1
S.Robson 1,1',0,0 =2+1
Referee: Mr Chris Gay
Gates: 2&4 (Lakeside won toss)
Ht 1 C.Harris, K.Nieminen, C.Holder, L.Madsen 1-5 (1-5) [59.62]
Ht 2 D.Ward, J.Doyle, S.Robson, P.Hurry (rtd) 5-1 (6-6) [59.56]
Ht 3 A.Mroczka, B.Pedersen, J.Davidsson, D.Davidsson 5-1 (11-7) [60.1]
Ht 4 D.Watt, A.Shields, S.Robson, J.,Doyle (fell disqualified) 3-3 (14-10) [59.46]
Ht 5 C.Harris, B.Pedersen, A.Mroczka, K.Nieminen 3-3 (17-13) [59.20]
Ht 6 C.Holder, A.Shields, L.Madsen, P.Hurry 4-2 (21-15) [59.57]
Ht 7 D.Watt, D.Ward, J.Davidsson, D.Davidsson 5-1 (26-16) [60.02]
Ht 8 J.Doyle, K.Nieminen (TR), L.Madsen, S.Robson 4-4 (30-20) [60.64]
Ht 9 B.Pedersen, A.Mroczka, A.Shields, P.Hurry 5-1 (35-21) [60.72]
Ht 10 C.Holder, L.Madsen, D.Davidsson, J.Davidsson 5-1 (40-22) [60.31]
Ht 11 C.Harris (TR), D.Ward, D.Watt, K.Nieminen 3-6 (43-28) [60.20]
Ht 12 J.Doyle, B.Pedersen, P.Hurry, D.Davidsson 5-1 (48-29) [61.39]
Ht 13 C.Harris, C.Holder, D.Watt, A.Shields 3-3 (51-32) [60.0]
Ht 14 D.Ward, A.Mroczka, J.Davidsson, S.Robson 5-1 (56-33)
Meeting Abandoned, track waterlogged, Result Stands
Summary Statistics
Poole 1st & 2nd - 7 heats
Poole 1st & 3rd - 2 heats
Poole 1st & 4th - 1 heats
Poole 2nd & 3rd - 2 heats
Poole 2nd & 4th - 0 heats
Poole 3rd & 4th - 1 heat
Scores from 1st 5 heats - Poole 17 Lakeside 13
Scores from 2nd 5 heats - Poole 23 Lakeside 9
Scores from 3rd 5 heats - Poole 16 Lakeside 11
League points - Poole 3 Lakeside 0
Poole Castle Cover Pirates did more than enough over 14 heats to regain their 7 point lead at the top of the Sky Sports Elite league table, beating the Lakeside Hammers by 56-33.
In front of a big crowd all wanting to see the homecoming of British GP winner Chris Holder and meet sporting legends Ivan Mauger and Joe Calzaghe, the Pirates quickly recovered from an opening heat hiccup as the Hammers, through guest Chris Harris and Kauko Nieminen, banked a 5-1, at the expense of the man of the moment Chris Holder who was still overcome by the generosity of the club in presenting him with a massive widescreen television.
The Pirates though rapidly eradicated that deficit with two maximum heat advantages of their own and were limited to a share of the points when Jason Doyle was harshly disqualified for falling on the first turn of heat 4. In the re-run the crowd were treated to some great racing between off-track friends Dave Watt and Adam Shields, a spectacle of speedway that Upton-based Watt from his Broadstone neighbour.
British champion Harris made it two from two with victory over Bjarne Pedersen but Mroczka was in close attention to maintain the Pirates four point lead. There was more great racing, again involving Shields, in heat 6, this time it was Chris Holder who came out on top and Leon Madsen having to settle for third place to push the home side a further two points ahead.
A 5-1 from Australian duo of Davey Watt and Darcy Ward over Swedish brothers Jonas and Daniel Davidsson in heat 7 allowed Lakeside to deploy the tactical options in heat 8 but significantly Jason Doyle sped clear and the visitors could only gain two extra points from the move. Back to back Poole 5-1's followed and then Harris came out in the black and white and remained unbeaten for a Lakeside 6-3 but a vital 5-1 from Doyle and Pedersen took the Pirates into a guaranteed win by the interval.
After the break Harris and Holder battled out a tremendous scrap, Lakeside's guest coming out on top for his fourth win from as many rides, but Watt's defeat of Shields meant that even a consolation point was beyond the vistor's grasp. World U21 finalists Darcy Ward and Artur Mroczka combined for a 5-1 to extend the Pirates lead to 23 points and before any nominations could be agreed for heat 15 the rain lashed down leaving the track instantly waterlogged and the match abandoned with the result standing.
Belle Vue v Poole (KOC) Monday 5th July
Belle Vue 50
H.Andersen 3,1,3,3,2 =12
Rider Replacement (UO,UO,LL,JC)
L.Lanham 1,0,2,2,0 =5
P.Hougaard 0,3,1',2' =6+2
P.Karlsson 1,2,3,2',R =8+1
J.Grajczonek 2',1',1,2',3 =9+3
U.Ostergaard 2',3,0,3,1',1, =10+2
POOLE 40
C.Holder 1,2,1,1 =5
L.Madsen 0,1',3,0=4+1
B.Pedersen 2',3,2,2',1 =10+2
A.Mroczka 3,0,0 = 3
D.Watt 2',R,3,0, =5+1
D.Ward 1,2,F,3,1,3=10
J.Doyle 0,3,0,0 =3
Referee: Mr A Steele
Gates 2&4 (Belle Vue won toss), 2&4 (Poole Vue won toss)
Ht 1 H.Andersen, R/R U.Ostergaard, C.Holder, L.Madsen 5-1 (5-1) [59.9]
Ht 2 U.Ostergaard, J.Grajczonek, D.Ward, J.Doyle 5-1 (10-2) [60.0]
Ht 3 A.Mroczka, B.Pedersen, L.Lanham, P.Hougaard 1-5 (11-7) [60.1]
Ht 4 J.Doyle, D.Watt, P.Karlsson, U.Ostergaard 1-5 (12-12) [60.9]
Ht 5 P.Hougaard, C.Holder, L.Madsen, L.Lanham 3-3 (15-15) [60.9]
Ht 6 R/R U.Ostegaard, D.Ward, H.Andersen, D.Watt (rtd) 4-2 (19-17) [60.5]
Ht 7 B.Pedersen, P.Karlsson, J.Grajczonek, A.Mroczka 3-3 (22-20) [60.6]
Ht 8 L.Madsen, R/R L.Lanham, U.Ostergaard, J.Doyle 3-3 (25-23) [60.8]
Ht 9 D.Watt, L.Lanham, P.Hougaard, D.Ward (fell) 3-3 (28-26) [61.1]
Ht 10 H.Andersen, B.Pedersen, R/R J.Grajczonek, A.Mroczka 4-2 (32-28) [61.6]
Ht 11 P.Karlsson, J.Grajczonek, C.Holder, L.Madsen 5-1 (37-29) [61.8]
Ht 12 D.Ward, B.Pedersen, U.Ostergaard, L.Lanham 1-5 (38-34) [61.6]
Ht 13 H.Andersen, P.Karlsson, C.Holder, D.Watt 5-1 (43-35) [62.4]
Ht 14 J.Grajczonek, P.Hougaard, R/C D.Ward, J.Doyle 5-1 (48-36) [61.5]
Ht 15 D.Ward, H.Andersen, B.Pedersen, P.Karlsson (rtd) 2-4 (50-40) [62.1]
Summary Statistics
Poole 1st & 2nd - 3 heats
Poole 1st & 3rd - 1 heats
Poole 1st & 4th - 2 heats
Poole 2nd & 3rd - 2 heats
Poole 2nd & 4th - 2 heats
Poole 3rd & 4th - 5 heat
Scores from 1st 5 heats - Belle Vue 15 Poole 15
Scores from 2nd 5 heats - Belle Vue 17 Poole 13
Scores from 3rd 5 heats - Belle Vue 18 Poole 12
Aggregate Position Poole trail by 10 points
Poole Castle Cover Pirates were beaten by 10 points by a solid looking Belle Vue side in the first leg of the KO Cup leaving the Pirates some work to do when the two sides meet for the 2nd leg later this month.
There was little to choose between the two sides for much of the match, the Pirates recovering well from two body blows in the opening heats with maximum heat scores of their own from heats 3 and 4 to level the scores.
Only Chris Holder failed to win a race for the Pirates on a night when the Poole number one really struggled with the slick circuit, but former captain Bjarne Pedersen scored well throughout and with new reserve Darcy Ward claimed two heat advantages in the final four heats to help compensate for the rampant mood of the Aces who began to pull clear from heat 10 onwards.
The Pirates were a little unfortunate in heat 13 when Chris Holder and Davey Watt opted to team ride in a bid to hold off Peter Karlsson but the Swede managed to prize his way through the pair of them to give the Aces an important 5-1 that could be the pivotal moment of this cup tie, the first leg finishing Belle Vue 50 Poole 40
Poole v Coventry Wednesday 3rd June
POOLE 58
1 C.Holder 3,2',3,3,2'=13+2
2 D.Ward 2',3,3,2,2',3=15+2
3 B.Pedersen 2',2,3,3,3=13+1
4 Rider Replacement (DWr,LM,JD,BP)
5 D.Watt 3,2,1'1=7+1
6 L.Madsen 3,0,0,2,2'=7+1
7 J.Doyle 1,0,Fd,1,1 =3
Coventry 35
1 C.Harris 1,6^,3,2,FD =12
2 B.Barker 0,1,1,0=2
3 E.Kennett 0,3,0,0=3
4 L.Bridger 1,1,1,0=3
5 K.Kasprzak 1',1,2,0 =4+1
6 J.Auty 0,0,0 =0
7 P.Pawlicki 2,2,3,2,1^,1=11
Referee Mr Graham Flint
Gates 1&3 (Poole won toss); 1&3 (Poole won toss)
Ht 1 C.Holder, D.Ward, C.Harris, B.Barker 5-1 (5-1) [58.39]
Ht 2 L.Madsen, P.Pawlicki, J.Doyle, J.Auty 4-2 (9-3) [59.50]
Ht 3 R/R D.Ward, B.Pedersen, L.Bridger, E.Kennett 5-1 (14-4) [59.50]
Ht 4 D.Watt, P.Pawlicki, K.Kasprzak, J.Doyle 3-3 (17-7) [59.30]
Ht 5 C.Harris TR, B.Pedersen, B.Barker, R/R L.Madsen 2-7 (19-14) [59.09]
Ht 6 D.Ward, C.Holder, K.Kasprzak, J.Auty 5-1 (24-15) [59.05]
Ht 7 E.Kennett, D.Watt, L.Bridger, L.Madsen 2-4 (26-19) [59.81]
Ht 8 P.Pawlicki, D.Ward, B.Barker, J.Doyle (fell disqualified) 2-4 (28-23) [59.74]
Ht 9 B.Pedersen, K.Kasprzak, R/R J.Doyle, J.Auty 4-2 (32-25) [60.98]
Ht 10 C.Holder, D.Ward, L.Bridger, E.Kennett 5-1 (37-26) [60.03]
Ht 11 C.Harris, L.Madsen, D.Watt, B.Barker 3-3 (40-29) [60.54]
Ht 12 B.Pedersen, R/C P.Pawlicki, J.Doyle, E.Kennett 4-2 (44-31) [60.32]
Ht 13 C.Holder, C.Harris, D.Watt, K.Kasprzak 4-2 (48-33) [60.36]
Ht 14 R/R B.Pedersen, L.Madsen, P.Pawlicki TR, L.Bridger 5-1 (53-34) [60.97]
Ht 15 D.Ward, C.Holder, P.Pawlicki, C.Haris (fell disqualified) 5-1 (58-35)
Summary Statistics
Poole 1st & 2nd - 6 heats
Poole 1st & 3rd - 4 heats
Poole 1st & 4th - 1 heats
Poole 2nd & 3rd - 1 heats
Poole 2nd & 4th - 3 heats
Poole 3rd & 4th - 0 heat
Scores from 1st 5 heats - Poole 19 Ipswich 14
Scores from 2nd 5 heats - Poole 18 Ipswich 12
Scores from 3rd 5 heats - Poole 21 Coventry 9
League points - Poole 3 Coventry 0
A solid team performance for the Poole Castle Cover Pirates saw them extend their lead at the top of the Sky Sports Elite courtesy of a 58-35 win over a Coventry Bees side that was lacking in back-up to British Champion Chris Harris and lively reserve Przemyslaw Pawlicki.
With Poole hitting the Bees hard from the off the Pirates made light work of having to cover for their Pole Artur Mroczka who had been ordered to rest his damaged ankle. Although Coventry halved a one-time deficit of 10 points to 5 at the half-way stage the Pirates finished strongly with three maximum heat scores over the final six heats, winning two others and restricting Coventry to a point share in the other.
Darcy Ward was the pick of the Pirates despite his main riding partner Chris Holder going through the card unbeaten. It was this combination that opened the meeting with a 5-1 and closed the meeting in the same fashion, although that final heat was awarded when Chris Harris lost control and ploughed heavily into Pawlicki with both riders unable to avoid a confrontation with the air fence. It was the second time that Harris had felt the force of the barrier. He had taken a heavy fall in heat 5 after lifting out of the tapes and being touched by Bjarne Pedersen who was seeking the line that would have taken him by Harris, the Bee seeking double points. That heat was called back with all four riders eligibe and Harris won the re-run with Barker just holding on in an enduring battle against Leon Madsen for a Coventry 2-7 return.
But the final heat was awarded with the referee Graham Flint ruling that Darcy Ward was the winner although to many in the large crowd, bolstered by Members of the Armed Forces invited for free, it was Holder the winner by a country mile.
The meeting also proved a bit of embarassment for British Grand Prix start marshall Rob Wadham who miscounted the laps completed in heat 9 as Bjarne Pedersen led home former Pirate Krzystof Kasprzak, who, like the Bees' other ex-Poole rider Edward Kennett had a subdued evening, home for a full five laps!
POOLE v IPSWICH 9th June
POOLE
1 C.Holder 2,1',3,1,1 =8+1
2 D.Ward Fx,2,3,2'=7+1
3 B.Pedersen 2,1',3.3,0 =9+1
4 A.Mroczka 1',2, withdrawn =3+1
5 D.Watt 1',2',3,3=9+2
6 L.Madsen 3,3,1,3 =10
7 J.Doyle 2',2,1,F,1 =6+1
IPSWICH
1 S.Nicholls 3,3,4^,2,3 =15
2 O.Allen 1 withdrawn = 1
3 D.King 3,0,1,2 =6
4 A.Dryml 0,1,0,2 =3
5 R.Miskowiak 3,3,2,0^2' =10+1
6 D.Stachyra 1,0,0,2,1',0,1' =5+2
7 C.Wilkinson 0,0,0,0 =0
Referee: Christina Turnbull
Gates: 2&4 (Ipswich won toss) / 2&4 (Ipswich won toss)
Ht 1 S.Nicholls, C.Holder, O.Allen, D.Ward (fell disqualified) 2-4 (2-4) [No time]
Ht 2 L.Madsen, J.Doyle, D.Stachyra, C.Wilkinson 5-1 (7-5) [59.33]
Ht 3 D.King, B.Pedersen, A.Mroczka, A.Dryml 3-3 (10-8) [60.04]
Ht 4 R.Miskowiak, J.Doyle, D.Watt, C.Wilkinson 3-3 (13-11) [59.70]
Ht 5 S.Nicholls, A.Mroczka, B.Pedersen, D.Stachyra R/C 3-3 (16-14) [59.29]
Ht 6 R.Miskowiak, D.Ward, C.Holder, D.Stachyra 3-3 (19-17)[59.36]
Ht 7 L.Madsen, D.Watt, A.Dryml, D.King 5-1 (24-18) [60.17]
Ht 8 D.Ward, D.Stachyra R/C, J.Doyle, C.Wilkinson 4-2 (28-20) [59.62]
Ht 9 B.Pedersen, R.Miskowiak, D.Stachyra, A.Mroczka (fell disqualified) 3-3 (31-23) [59.99]
Ht 10 C.Holder, D.Ward, D.King, A.Dryml 5-1 (36-24) [60.17]
Ht 11 D.Watt, S.Nicholls TR, L.Madsen, D.Stachyra R/C 4-4 (40-28) [59.92]
Ht 12 B.Pedersen, D.King, D.Stachyra, J.Doyle (fell) 3-3 (43-31) [60.64]
Ht 13 D.Watt, S.Nicholls, C.Holder, R.Miskowiak TR 4-2 (47-33)
Ht 14 L.Madsen, A.Dryml, J.Doyle R/C, C.Wilkinson 4-2 (51-35)
Ht 15 S.Nicholls, R.Miskowiak, C.Holder, B.Pedersen 1-5 (52-40)
Summary Statistics
Poole 1st & 2nd - 3 heats
Poole 1st & 3rd - 4 heats
Poole 1st & 4th - 2 heats
Poole 2nd & 3rd - 4 heats
Poole 2nd & 4th - 1 heats
Poole 3rd & 4th - 1 heat
Scores from 1st 5 heats - Poole 16 Ipswich 14
Scores from 2nd 5 heats - Poole 20 Ipswich 10
Scores from 3rd 5 heats - Poole 16 Ipswich 16
League points - Poole 3 Ipswich 0
Poole Castle Cover Pirates were made to work hard for their all-time 800th home league victory of the club's history as they came up against a persistent Ipswich side.
Despite a gulf of 32 league points separating the two sides prior to tapes-up the Pirates 52-40 eventual victory, that protected their unbeaten home record this season, was no easy measure. The visitors provided five of the first 6 heat winners although they were only to record one more across the remaining 9 heats.
The hard-earned victory had skipper Davey Watt applauding the hard work of the mechanics as he revealed "I think all of us changed our machinery in a big way tonight and it proved to be the right trick as it showed in the end but now the mechanics have plenty more work to do ahead of tomorrow's meeting at Eastbourne"
Watt was highly instrumental and influential in delivering the Poole victory. Twice he thwarted tactical rides by the Witches who, after keeping the scores to within 2 points for the early stages began to lose their way slightly as the meeting progressed. The visitors lost the services of Oliver Allen after he was brought down by the chasing Darcy Ward in the opening heat, but the numbers were levelled out when Artur Mroczka fell heavily in heat 9, necessitating a trip to Poole Hospital for a full check over. Mroczka, such a big scorer for the Pirates this season could now be a doubtful starter for the Eatbourne trip.
Poole's recovery was masterminded by reserve Leon Madsen combining with Watt in heat 7 for a 5-1 but it needed a special ride from Bjarne Pedersen in the re-run of heat 9 to peg back previously unbeaten Robert Miskowiak and the busy Witches reserve Dawid Stachyra. Pedersen delivered in sensational style to give the Pirates the scent of success. Chris Holder and Darcy Ward claimed a vital 5-1 over King and Dryml in heat 10 which gave Ipswich the opportunity to have Scott Nicholls seeking double points in the next heat, but Watt was up to the task and had the Poole fans hailing him home a hero with a win whilst Madsen swept up in third place to share the heat score at 4 points each. Jason Doyle wss in the thick of the heat 12 action but spun out, Pedersen though mitigating the damage with a fine second win of the night.
Miskowiak was handed the black and white helmet cover in heat 13 but he couldn't imptress on Watt, who beat Nicholls nor Holder who had an intense battle with the 5 times British champion. That effectively sealed the result but Madsen finished with a third win to top score for the Pirates whilst the Witches bagged a last heat consolation 5-1 through Nicholls and Miskowiak.
Having collected their all-time 800th home league win the Pirates will now travel to Eastbourne on Thursday (June 10th) seeking to avoid their all-time 700th away league defeat!
POOLE v BELLE VUE 2nd June
POOLE
1 C.Holder 2,2',3,2',2 =11+2
2 D.Ward 1',3,1',1,1' =7+3
3 B.Pedersen 1,2,1',2' =6+2
4 A.Mroczka 3,0,2,1 =6
5 D.Watt - Withdrawn concussion
6 L.Madsen 2',3,Fx,0,3,3=11+1
7 J.Doyle 3,1,2,2,3,3 =14
BELLE VUE
1 H.Anderson 3,3,4^,1,3 =14
2 J.Wright R,1,0,1'=2+1
3 Rider Replacement (CW,LL,LL,PH)
4 P.Hougaard 2,3,2,1,0=8
5 P.Karlsson 2,1,3,0^ ,0=6
6 C.Watson 0,0,0,0, =0
7 L.Lanham 1,0,1,3,0,0,2 =7
Referee: Mr Ronnie Allan
Gates 2&4 (Belle Vue won toss); 1&3 (Poole won toss)
