Powerful Pirates retain KO Cup

Poole retained the KO Cup with a 52-38 (100-79 on aggregate) second leg success over a valiant Redcar side at Wimborne Road. Despite the Bears battling hard throughout they struggled for heat advantages (only 2 overall) which gave the Pirates the foundation they needed to retain the trophy. Richard Lawson top scored for the hosts with 13 whilst Erik Riss hit 11 for the Bears.

The opening 2 heats were won by Ben Cook and Zach Cook respectively but with both Bears packing into the minor placings, Poole could not extend their aggregate lead. The reigning KO Cup champions struck their first second leg blow with a heat 3 4-2 as Stevie Worrall took the win whilst Drew Kemp held off a spirited effort from Jordan Jenkins for third.

However, Redcar were determined to make the Pirates work for the win as they once again packed the minor placings in heats 4&5 respectively to ensure the Pirates could not extend their aggregate lead to double figures in the early stages.

Poole then stamped their authority on the tie with their first 5-1 in heat 6 as Danny King and Ben Cook roared to victory. After a heat 7 Richard Lawson inspired 4-2, the Bears were 8 behind on the night and 15 behind on aggregate.

The home crowd were getting ready to celebrate as the Pirates hit their second successive 4-2 in heat 8 with Zach Cook taking the chequered flag with Kasper Andersen splitting the Cook brothers in second. Redcar took their first heat advantage in heat 9 as Kerr took a tapes to flag win whilst Kyle Newman impressively defeated Worrall for third place and a Bears 4-2.

Any lingering hopes of a second leg win were emphatically ended in heat 10 as King was joined at the front by the impressive Ben Cook for a home maximum heat advantage. Another 5-1 followed in heat 11 as Lawson used his home track knowledge to tempt Riss to the outside which allowed Zach Cook through for second and with that, the Pirates had mathematically retained the trophy.

After a shared heat 12, Redcar restored some credibility with a heat 13 4-2 (only the 2nd heat advantage Poole have conceded in heat 13 this season) as Riss took the win with reserve replacement Newman (in for an excluded Lewis Kerr) in third. Redcar also managed to share the final two races of their Championship season with Erik Riss signing off in style with an impressive heat 15 success.

Poole Pirates = 52 (100)

1. Danny King = 6
2. Ben Cook = 9+3
3. Steve Worrall = 9
4. Drew Kemp = 6
5. Richard Lawson = 13
6. Zach Cook = 9+1
7. Nathan Ablitt = 0

Redcar Bears = 38 (79)

1. Erik Riss = 11
2. Kasper Andersen = 4+2
3. Kye Thomson (G) = 3+1
4. Jordan Jenkins = 4+1
5. Lewis Kerr = 6
6. Kyle Newman = 6
7. Jason Edwards = 4+2